tasned  December  14,  IW6 

U.  S.  DEPARTMENT  OF  AGRICULTURE^ 

OFFICE  OF  EXPERIMENT  STATIONS— BULLETIN  174. 

A.  C.  TRUE,   Director. 


h  i:  s  T  ( > 


FARMERS'  INS 


IX  TIIK 


UNITED    STATES 


I — 


Mmmi& 


EPOSITORY 


J 


COMPILED  BY 


JOHN  HA] 


HAMILTON, 


FARMERS'     INSTITUTE    SPECIALIST. 


WASHINGTON: 


GOVERNMENT     PRINTING     OFF  TOE. 


1906. 


\ 


OFFICIALS  IN  CHARGE  OF  FARMERS'  INSTITUTES. 

ai.ai;  ima.--  c.  A.  Cary,  professor  ol  veterinary  aclem  e,  Polytechnic  Institute,  Auburn;  <;.  W.  Carver; 
director  AgrioultureJ  Btepeiiu 

u.a.-ka.-  c.  c.  Georgeson,  Agricultural  Experiment  Station,  Sitka. 
Arizona,    k.  11.  Forbes, director  Agricultural  Experiment  Station,  Tucsot. 

LK8A8     W.  G.  Vincenheller,  director  Agricultural  Experiment  Station.  Payettevllle. 

CALIFORNIA.     i:     I.  WlCI  -•■!!.  superintendent  of  Fain  ites,  Cnivcrsity  of  California,  Berke- 

ley;  1>.  T    Fowler,  conductor  of  Farmers'  Institutes  in  central  and  northern  California,  Berkeley; 
J.  B.  Neff,  conductor  ol  Fanners'  Institutes  In  southern  California,  Anaheim;  W.T.Clark,  at 
ant  superintendent  of  Farmers'  Institutes.  Berkefc 
COLORADO.     W.  L.  Carlyle,  d<  ol  of  Agriculture,  State  Agricultural  College,  Fort  Collins; 

:  P.  Johnson,  assistant  superintendent  of  Farmers'  Institutes,  Denver. 

tktt.     lames   F.    Brown,   secretary  State    Hoard  of   Agriculture,   North   Stonington;  J.   O. 
Sehwtnk,  Jr.,  secretary  Connecticut  Dairymen's  Association,  Meriden;  II.  C.  C.  Miles,,  secretary  Con- 
necticut Pomologies!  Society,  Milford. 
1  »u  \  w  ire.    Wesley  Webb;  secretary  Board  of  Agriculture,  Dover;  II.  Hayward,  director  of  Agricul- 
tural Experiment  Station,  and  superintendent  of  institutes  for  Newcastle  County.  New  ark. 
Florida. --R.  W.  Clothier,  professor  of  Agriculture,  University  of  Florida,  Lake  City. 
Okokgia.     II.  C.  Whltf,  president  State  College  of  Agriculture,  Athens;  Harvie  Jordan,  field  agent  in 

charge  ol  Fanners'  Institutes,  020  Empire  Building,  Atlanta. 
IlAVTAn.    J.  G.  Smith.  Agricultural  Experiment  Station,  Honolulu. 
Idaho.— II.  T.  French,  director  Agricultural  Experiment  Station,  Moscow. 
Illinois.— Fiank  II.  Hall,  secretary  Illinois  Farmers'  Institutes,  Aurora. 
Indiana.— W.  C   Latta,  professor  of  Agriculture  in  Purdue  University,  Lafayette. 
Iowa.^I.  C.  Simpson,  secretary  State  Board  of  Agriculture,  Des  Moines. 
Kansas.— J.  II.  Miller,  superintendent  of  Farmers'  Institutes,  Manhattan. 
Kentucky.— Hubert  Vreeland,  commissioner  of  Agriculture,  Frankfort. 
Lot  isiana. — Charles  Schuler,  commissioner  of  Agriculture,  Baton  Rouge. 
Maine. — A.  W.  Oilman,  commissioner  of  Agriculture,  Augusta. 
Maryland.— W.  L   Amoss,  director  Farmers'  Institutes,  Benson. 
Massachusetts.— J.  L.  Ellsworth,  secretary  State  Board  of  Agriculture,  Boston. 
Michigan.— L.  R.  Taft,  superintendent  of  Farmers'  Institutes,  Agricultural  College. 
Minnesota. — O.  C.  Gregg,  director  Farmers'  Institutes,  Lynd. 
Mississippi.— E.  R.  Lloyd,  director  Farmers'  Institutes,  Agricultural  College. 
Missouri.— Geo.  B.  Ellis,  secretary  State  Board  of  Agriculture,  Columbia. 
Montana.— F.  B.  Linfield,  director  Agricultural  Experiment  Station,  Bozeman. 
Nebraska.— E.  A.  Burnett,  director  Agricultural  Experiment  Station,  Lincoln;  Val  Keyser,  assistant 

superintendent  of  Farmers'  Institutes,  Station  A,  Lincoln. 
Nevada.— J.  E.  Stubbs,  president  Nevada  State  University,  Reno. 
New  Hampshire. — N.  J.  Bachelder,  secretary  State  Board  of  Agriculture,  Concord. 
New  Jersey. — Franklin  Dye,  secretary  State  Board  of  Agriculture,  Trenton. 
New  Mexico.— John  D.  Tinsley,  superintendent  of  Farmers'  Institutes,  Agricultural  College. 
New  York.— F.  E.  Dawley,  director  Farmers'  Institutes,  Fayetteville. 

North  Carolina.— S.  L.  Patterson,  commissioner  of  Agriculture,  Raleigh;  Tait  Butler,  professor  veter- 
inary science,  College  of  Agriculture  and  Mechanic  Arts,  field  agent,  Raleigh. 
North  Dakota.— E.  E.  Kaufman,  superintendent  of  Farmers'  Institutes,  Fargo. 
Ohio.— T.  L.  Calvert,  secretary  State  Board  of  Agriculture,  Columbus. 
Oklahoma  Territory.— C.  A.  McNabb,  secretary  State  Board  of  Agriculture,  Outline. 
Oregon. — J  AVithycombe,  director  Agricultural  Experiment  Station.  Corvallis. 
Pennsylvania. — A  L.  Martin,  deputy  secretary  of  Agriculture,  Harrisburg. 
Porto  Rico.— D.  W.  May,  Agricultural  Experiment  Station,  Mayaguez. 
Rhode  Island.— John  J.  Dunn,  secretary  State  Board  of  Agriculture,  Providence. 
South  Carolina. — J.  N.  Harper,  director  Agricultural  Experiment  Station,  Clemson  College. 
South  Dakota.— A.  E.  Chamberlain,  superintendent  of  Farmers'  Institutes,  Howard. 
Tennessee.— W.  W.  Ogilvie,  commissioner  of  Agriculture,  Nashville. 
Texas.— J.  W.  Carson,  director  Farmers'  Institutes,  College  Station. 
Utah.— P.  A.  Yoder,  director  Agricultural  Experiment  Station,  Logan. 
Vermont. — George  Aitken,  secretary  State  Board  of  Agriculture,  Woodstock. 
Virginia.— 0.  W.  Koiner,  commissioner  of  Agriculture,  Richmond;  A.  M.  Soule,  director  Agricultural 

Experiment  Station  and  secretary  Virginia  State  Farmers'  Institute,  Blacksburg. 
Washington.— E.  A.  Bryan,  president  Agricultural  College  and  School  of  Science,  Pullman;    E.  E 

Elliott,  professor  of  Agriculture,  Washington  Agricultural  College,  field  agent,  Pullman. 
West  Virginia. — H.  E.  Williams,  superintendent  of  Farmers'  Institutes,  Sunlight. 
Wisconsin.— G.  B.  McKerrow,  director  Farmers'  Institutes,  Madrson. 
Wyoming.— B.  C.  Buflum,  director  Agricultural  Experiment  Station,  Laramie. 


Property  of  the  United  States  Government. 


934 


Issued  December  L4,  191  6 


U.  S.  DEPARTMENT   OF  AGRICULTURE 

OFFICE  OF  EXPERIMENT  STATIONS-BULLETIN  174. 
A.  C.  TRUE,  Director. 


HISTORY 


OF 


FAKMEKS'  INSTITUTES 


IN  THE 


UNITED    STATES 


COMPILED   BY 


JOHN  HAMILTON. 

FARMERS'     INSTITUTE    SPECIALIST. 


WASHINGTON: 

GOVERNMENT     PRINTING    OFFICE. 
1906. 


THE  OFFICE  OF  EXPERIMENT  STATIONS. 

STAFF. 
A.  0.  True,  D.  Sc,  Director. 

E.  W.  Allen,  Ph.  D.,  Assistant  Director  and  Editor  of  Experiment  station  Record. 
W.  H.  Beal,  B.  A.,  M.  E.,  Chief  of  Editorial  Dirision. 
John  Hamilton,  B.  S.,  M.  S.  A.,  Fanners'  Institute  Specialist. 

(2) 


LETTER  OF  TRANSMITTAL. 


U.  S.  Department  of  Agriculture, 

Office  of  Experiment  Stations, 

Washington,  D.  C,  October  15,  1906. 
Sir:  I  have  the  honor  to  transmit  herewith  a  History  of  Farmers' 
Institutes  in  the  United  States,  compiled  by  John  Hamilton,  Farmers' 
Institute  Specialist  of  this  Office. 

This  bulletin  gathers  together  such  data  respecting  the  origin  and 
progress  of  the  farmers'  institute  movement  in  the  several  States  and 
Territories  as  it  has  been  found  possible  to  secure,  and  presents  the 
material  in  an  abridged  form  for  the  information  of  institute  workers. 
It  brings  the  history  of  the  institutes  up  to  the  year  1904,  the  sub- 
sequent history  of  the  institutes  being  recorded  in  the  annual  reports 
of  the  Farmers'  Institute  Specialist  of  the  Department.  I  recommend 
its  publication  as  Bulletin  174  of  this  Office. 
Respectfully, 

A.  C.  True,  Director. 
Hon.  James  Wilson, 

Secretary  of  Agriculture* 

(3) 


CONTENTS 


Page. 

Introduction 7 

Historians 9 

Government  aid-to  institutes 10 

American  Association  of  Fanners'  Institute  Workers 11 

Institutes  in  the  several  States  and  Territories 18 

Alabama 18 

Alaska 19 

Arizona 19 

Arkansas 20 

California 20 

Colorado 22 

Connecticut 22 

Delaware 24 

Florida 25 

Georgia 26 

Hawaii 26 

Idaho 27 

Illinois 28 

Indiana 30 

Iowa 36 

Kansas 38 

Kentucky 41 

Louisiana 42 

Maine 43 

Maryland 45 

Massachusetts 46 

Michigan 49 

Minnesota 51 

Mississippi '. '. 53 

Missouri 54 

Montana 55 

Nebraska 56 

Nevada 60 

New  Hampshire 61 

New  Jersey 62 

New  Mexico 64 

New  York 64 

North  Carolina 69 

North  Dakota 70 

Ohio 72 

Oklahoma 75 

Oregon 76 

(5) 


Institutes  in  the  several  States  and  Territories — Continued.  Page. 

Pennsylvania 77 

Porto  Rico 80 

Rhode  Island 

South  Carolina 81 

S. mth  Dakota 81 

Tennessee 

Texas 

Itah 

Vermont M 

Virginia 

Washington 88 

West  Virginia 89 

Wisconsin !' 1 

\Yv<  .niing 96 


HISTORY  OF  FARMERS1  INSTITUTES  IN  THE 
UNITED  STATES." 


INTRODUCTION.  * 

The  farmers1  institute  movement  in  the  United  States  has  now- 
reached  a  degree  of  importance  and  development  that  places  it  along- 
side of  the  leading  institutions  of  the  country  organized  in  the  interest 
of  industrial  education.  Forty-five  States  and  Territories  held  insti- 
tutes in  1905,  aggregating  10,555  half-day  sessions,  which  were  at- 
tended by  995,192  persons,  chiefly  adults. 

The  teaching  force  in  the  employ  of  the  State  directors  numbered 
995.  The  personal  history  of  791  of  these  lecturers  shows  that  386 
hold  college  degrees,  159  had  taken  partial  college  courses,  130  had 
normal  or  high-school  certificates,  and  116  had  common-school  train- 
ing. In  addition  to  this  force,  the  local  managers  of  the  several  coun- 
ties in  28  States  reporting  employed  3,331  local  lecturers  who  read 
papers  or  delivered  addresses  iri  the  institute  meetings. 

The  appropriations  for  institute  purposes  by  the  several  States  in 
1905  amounted  to  $225,738.89.  This  development  has  taken  place 
within  about  thirty  years,  and  the  greater  part  of  it  within  the  past 
fifteen  years. 

The  marvelous  growth  of  this  form  of  agricultural  instruction  in  so 
short  a  period  is  accounted  for  by  the  fact  that  about  the  time  thai 
this  movement  began  agricultural  lands  in  many  States  were  begin- 
ning to  show  the  injurious  effects  of  constant  cropping  without  restora- 
tion of  the  fertilizing  elements  thus  abstracted,  and  the  majority  of 
their  owners  were  coming  to  realize  that  the  restoration  of  their  lands 
to  profitable  production  was  a  problem  for  the  solution  of  which  they 
needed  the  assistance  of  experts  who  had  made  special  study  of  this 
subject. 

Meetings  were  called  by  the  farmers  of  the  various  communities  for 
conference  and  interchange  of  opinion  respecting  the  difficulties  that 
they  were  encountering.  To  these  meetings  successful  farmers  were 
invited  and  given  opportunity  to  explain  the  methods  by  which  they 

"Additional  publications  on  this  subject:  Annals  of  Horticulture,  1891,  p.  137,  ff.; 
Ann.  Rpt.  Penn.  Dept.  Agr.  L895,  p.  97.  ff.;  U.  S.  Dept.  Agr.,  Experiment  Station 
Record,  vol.  7.  p.  636,  ff.;  U.S.  Dept.  Agr..  Officeof  Experiment  Stations  Bui.  79. 

(") 


8 

had  succeeded.  Later,  as  the  agricultural  experiment  stations  were 
developed,  expert  scientists  from  these  stations  and  professors  from 
the  agricultural  colleges  were  brought  in  to  announce  the  late  discov- 
eries of  science  as  these  discoveries  related  to  agriculture,  and  to  give 
advice  as  to  new  methods  that  might  be  introduced  with  prospect  of 
success. 

The  feeling  of  need  for  information  respecting  their  calling  was  so 
general  among  the  farmers  and  the  instruction  which  these  experts 
imparted  was  so  helpful  that  in  all  of  the  States  the  demand  for  such 
instruction  became  urgent.  In  response  to  this  demand  the  legisla- 
tures in  most  of  the  States  provided  for  the  organization  and  sup- 
port of  farmers'  institutes.  The  indications  are  that  the  institute  has 
come  to  stay  and  that  out  of  the  early  and  cruder  forms  there  will 
gradually  be  developed  a  system  that  will  be  thoroly  organized  for 
giving  systematic  instruction  in  agriculture  and  become  recognized 
as  a  necessary  part  of  the  general  system  of  industrial  education. 

If  the  development  referred  to  should  be  realized,  it  will  become  of 
interest  to  students  of  industrial  education  in  future  years  to  know 
precisely  how  the  movement  originated  in  the  several  States  and  un- 
derstand the  circumstances  that  surrounded  it  and  the  forces  that 
aided  in  its  progress.  With  this  in  mind,  as  well  as  in  the  belief  that 
institute  workers  even  now  will  be  interested  in  the  facts  presented, 
the  Institute  Specialist  of  the  Office  of  Experiment  Stations  of  the 
Department  of  Agriculture  has  collected  such  data  as  could  be  had 
respecting  the  origin  and  early  history  of  the  institutes  in  the  several 
States.  It  was  felt  that  it  was  important  to  do  this  while  there  are 
still  living  those  who  were  identified  with  the  movement  from  its 
beginning  and  are  consequently  familiar  with  it  in  all  of  its  details. 

A  letter  was  sent  out  to  the  institute  directors  of  the  several  States 
and  Territories  in  April,  1904,  stating  that  it  was  proposed  to  publish 
in  bulletin  form  a  history  of  the  farmers'  institutes  in  the  United 
States,  partly  as  a  matter  of  general  interest,  but  specially  that  an 
authentic  record  may  be  had  which  can  be  used  for  reference  and  ask- 
ing each  director  to  prepare  a  brief  paper  giving  an  account  of  the 
origin  and  development  of  the  farmers'  institute  movement  in  his 
State. 

In  response  to  this  letter  the  majority  of  the  State  directors 
prepared  statements  more  or  less  complete  and  sent  them  in  to  the 
Institute  Specialist.  In  a  number  of  instances  the  preparation  of 
the  history  was  delegated  by  the  director  to  some  citizen  known  to 
be  familiar  with  the  facts,  who  collected  the  data  and  transmitted 
the  manuscript  to  this  Office. 

In  some  cases  bare  outlines  or  disconnected  facts  were  given;  in 
others  a  large  amount  of  irrelevant  material  was  included  in  the  state- 
ments, and  in  still  others  the  accounts  far  exceeded  the  limits  of  space 


which  could  be  allowed.  It  became  necessary,  therefore,  in  editing 
the  copy  to  rewrite  entirely  a  number  of  the  histories,  to  rearrange  t  he 

facts  in  others  so  as  to  present  them  in  consecutive  order,  and  in 
others  to  cut  out  superfluous  matter.  In  no  case,  however,  has  any- 
thing been  omitted  that  was  regarded  as  essential  to  a  proper  under- 
standing of  the4  history,  and  no  statement  has  been  inserted  that  was 
not  justified  by  some  authoritative  record. 

No  attempt  has  been  made  to  summarize  the  several  histories  or  to 
comment  upon  the  work  that  each  State  has  done.  The  purpose  has 
been  to  present  the  facts  as  they  have  been  furnished  by  competent 
authorities  and  leave  the  drawing  of  inferences  and  conclusions  to 
those  who  study  and  compare  them. 

This  bulletin  brings  the  history  of  the  institutes  up  to  about  the  time 
of  the  appointment  of  the  Farmers'  Institute  Specialist  of  this  Office  in 
1903.  The  subsequent  history  of  the  institutes  will  be  found  quite 
fully  recorded  in  the  annual  reports  of  the  Institute  Specialist  pub- 
lished in  the  annual  reports  of  the  Office  of  Experiment  Stations. 

It  is  hoped  that  the  information  furnished  by  this  history  may  not 
only  preserve  a  record  of  the  facts,  but  may  also  encourage  and  aid 
those  who  are  interested  in  the  future  development  of  the  institute 
work  by  exhibiting  its  progress  in  the  past. 

HISTORIANS. 

The  following  persons  prepared  histories  or  supplied  data  for  their  respective  States 
and  Territories,  and  the  valuable  service  that  each  has  rendered  is  hereby  acknowl- 
edged : 

Alabama. — C.  A.  Cary,  professor  of  veterinary  science  in  Alabama  Polytechnic 
Institute,  Auburn. 

Alaska. — Xo  institutes. 

Arizona. — R.  H.  Forbes,  director  Agricultural  Experiment  Station,  Tucson. 

Arkansas. — Xo  institutes. 

California. — E.  J.  Wickson,  professor  of  practical  agriculture,  University  of  Califor- 
nia, Berkeley. 

Colorado. — A.  C.  True  and  F.  H.  Hall,  in  article  in  Experiment  Station  Record, 
Vol.  VII,  page  638,  and  L.  H.  Bailey  in  U.  S.  Department  of  Agriculture  Office  «  I 
Experiment  Stations  Bui.  79,  page  10. 

Connecticut.— T.  S.  Gold,  ex-secretary-State  Board  of  Agriculture,  West  Cornwall. 

Delaware. — Wesley  Webb,  director  Farmers'  Institutes,  Dover. 

Florida. — Charles  M.  Conner,  superintendent  Farmers'  Institutes,  Lake  City. 

Georgia. — Harvie  Jordan,  superintendent  Farmers'  Institutes,  Monticello. 

Hawaii. — .Tared  G.  Smith,  Agricultural  Experiment  Station,  Honolulu. 

Idaho. — H.  T.  French,  director  Agricultural  Experiment  Station.  Moscow. 

Illinois. — A.  B.  Hostetter,  secretary  Illinois  Farmers'  Institutes,  Springfield. 

Indiana. — W.  C.  Latta,  superintendent  Farmers'  Institutes,  Lafayette. 

Indian  Territory. — Xo  institutes. 

Iowa. — John  R.  Sage,  United  States  Climatic  and  Crop  Service,  Des  Moines. 

Kansas. — J.  T.  Willard.  director  Agricultural  Experiment  Station.  Manhattan. 

Kentucky. — Hubert  Vreeland,  commissioner  of  agriculture.  Frankfort. 

Louisiana. — J.  G.  Lee,  commissioner  of  agriculture  and  irrigation,  Baton  Rouge. 

Maine. — A.  W.  Gilman,  commissioner  of  agriculture.  Augusta. 

Maryland. — W.  L.  Amoss,  superintendent  of  Farmers'  Institutes,  College  Park. 

Massachusetts. — Howard  X.  Legate,  clerk  State  Board  of  Agriculture,  Boston. 

Michigan. — L.  R.  Taft,  superintendent  of  Farmers'  Institutes,  Agricultural  College. 

Minnesota. — Thomas  Shaw,  editor  of  ''The  Farmer,"  St.  Anthony  Park. 

Mississippi. — W.  L.  Hutchinson,  director  Agricultural  Experiment  Station,  Agri- 
cultural College. 


10 

Missouri.     George  l».  Ellis,  secretary  State  Board  of  Agriculture,  Columbia. 

Moniana.     l'\  B.  Linfield,  director  Agricultural  Expenmenl  Station,  Bozeman. 

Nebraska.     E.  A.  Burnett,  director  Agricultural  Experiment  Station,  Lincoln. 

Nevada.     J.  E.  Stubbs,  director  Agricultural  Experiment  Station.  Reno 

\<'\v  Hampshire.     X.  J.  Bachelder,  secretary  State  Board  of  Agriculture,  Concord. 

New  Jersey.     Franklin  Dye,  secretary  State  Board  of  Agriculture,  Trenton. 

Xew  Mexico.  J.  I).  Tinsley,  vice-director  Agricultural  Experimenl  Station.  Mesilla 
Park. 

Xew  York. -.Miss  K.  B.  A II  is.  Office  of  Farmers'  [nstitutes,  Fayetteville. 

North  Carolina.  W.  F.  Massey,  horticulturist,  Agricultural  Experiment  Station, 
Raleigh. 

North  Dakota. — E.  E.  Kaufman,  director  Farmers'  Institutes.  Bismarck. 

Ohio. — W.  W.  Miller,  secretary  State  Board  of  Agriculture,  Columbus. 

Oklahoma. — J.  B.  Thoburn,  secretary  State  Board  of  Agriculture,  Guthrie. 

Oregon,     .lames  Withycombe,  director  Agricultural   Experiment  Station.  Corvallis. 

Pennsylvania.— A.  L.  Martin,  deputy  secretary  of  agriculture,  Harrisburg. 

Porto  Rico.  —  No  institutes. 

Rhode  Island. — William  Williams,  member  State  Hoard  of  Agriculture.  Bristol. 

South  Carolina. — .T.  S.  Newman,  superintendent   of  Farmers'   Institutes.  Clemson 

College. 

South  Dakota. — S.  A.  Cochran,  irrigation  engineer,  Brookings;  James  H.  Shepard, 
professor  of  chemistry,  Agricultural  College,  Brookings. 

Tennessee. — W.  W.  Ogilvie,  commissioner  of  agriculture,  Nashville. 

Texas. — J.  H.  Council,  editor,  "Farm  and  Ranch."  Dallas, 

Utah. — John  A.  Widtsoe,  director  Agricultural  Experiment  Station,  Logan. 

Vermont. — George  Aitken,  secretary  State  Board  of  Agriculture.  Woodstock. 

Virginia. — G.  W.  Koiner,  commissioner  of  agriculture,  Richmond;  A.  M.  Soule, 
director  Agricultural  Experiment  Station.  Blacksburg. 

Washington. — E.  A.  Bryan,  president  Washington  Agricultural  College,  Pullman. 

West  Virginia. — J.  B.  Garvin,  director  Farmers'  Institutes,  Charleston;  A.  D.  Hop- 
kins, Division  of  Entomology,  Washington,  D.  C. 

Wisconsin. — George  McKerrow,  superintendent  Farmers'  Institutes,  Madison. 

Wyoming. — B.  C.  Buffum,  director  Agricultural  Experiment  Station,  Laramie. 

GOVERNMENT  AID  TO  INSTITUTES. 

The  United  States  Department  of  Agriculture  has  undertaken  to  assist  the  States  in 
their  inst  it  ut  e  work.  At  the  request  of  the  Secretary  of  Agriculture,  the  Fifty-seventh 
Congress  provided  for  the  appointment  of  a  Farmers'  Institute  Specialist  in  the  Office 
of  Experiment  Stations  of  the  Department,  and  appropriated  $5,000  for  meeting  the 
necess  try  expenses  of  the  new  office. 

The  duties  of  this  officer,  as  stated  in  the  act  making  the  appropriation,  are  "To 
investigate1  and  report  upon  the  organization  and  progress  of  farmers'  institutes  in  the 
several  States  and  Territories,  and  upon  similar  organizations  in  foreign  countries,  with 
special  suggestions  of  plans  and  methods  for  making  such  organizations  more  effective 
for  the  dissemination  of  tin1  results  of  the  work  of  the  Department  of  Agriculture  and 
the  experiment  stations,  and  of  improved  methods  of  agricultural  practice," 

In  anticipation  of  the  act  ion  of  Congress  the  United  States  Civil  Service  Commission, 
July  23j  15)02,  issued  a  circular  letter  to  the  effect  that  an  examination  would  be  held 
September  1,  1902,  for  the  position  of  Farmers'  Institute  Specialist  in  the  Office  of 
Experiment  Stat  ions  of  the  Department  of  Agriculture,  the  examination  to  he  open  to 
all  citizens  of  the  United  States  who  comply  with  the  requirements  as  set  forth  in  the 
forms  of  examination  which  the  Commission  prescribed. 

From  the  eligible  list  thus  secured  the  Secretary  of  Agriculture.  Hon.  James  Wilson. 
under  date  <>f  February  !).  L903,  tendered  the  position  to  John  Hamilton,  of  State  Col- 
lege. Pa.,  then  secretary  of  agriculture  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania.  Mr.  Hamilton 
accepted  the  position  and  assumed  the  duties  of  the  office  April  1.  1903. 

Since  that  date  the  office  has  collected  and  published  the  laws  under  which  insti- 
tutes are  held  in  the  several  States  and  Territories;  a  list  of  names  of  lecturers  in  the 
employ  of  the  State  directors  with  their  post-office   addresses:    bulletin  on  Agricul- 


11 

tural  [nstruction  for  Adults  in  the  British  Empire;  bulletin  on  Agricultural  [nstruc- 

t  i<  in  for  A.  lulls  in  Continental  Countries;  Proceedings  of  the  Ninth  and  Tenth  Ann  mil 
Meetings  of  the  American  Association  of  Farmers'  Institute  Workers;  annual  reports 
and  statistics  of  the  farmers1  institute  work  in  the  United  States  for  the  years  L903, 
L904,  and  L905.  The  Institute  Specialist  has  had  prepared  Byllabi  of  six  illustrated 
lectures  No.  L  on  the  Care  of  Milk;  No.  2,  Potato  Diseases  and  their  Treatment;  No. 
;!.  Acid  s..ils;  No.  1.  Profitable  Cattle  Feeding;  No.  5,  Silage  and  Silo  Construction, 
and  No.  6,  Essentials  of  Field  Experimentation.  There  has  also  been  prepared  and 
published  a  course  of  study  consisting  of  fourteen  lectures  on  cheese-making  adapted  to 
movable  schools  of  agriculture,  and  arrangements  have  been  made  for  the  preparation 
of  five  other  courses  of  similar  character.  There  is  also  in  course  of  preparation  a  -■  I 
of  charts  on  the  selection  of  cattle  for  feeding. 

Arrangements  have  been  made  with  the  directors  of  the  agricultural  experiment  sta- 
tions for  supplying  station  bulletins  to  the  Slate  institute  lecturers  and  with  the  Divi- 
sion of  Publications  of  the  Department  of  Agriculture  for  sending  its  publications  to 
institute  workers  upon  application  made  to  the  Institute  Specialist.  A  card  li>t  of  the 
names  and  addresses  of  over  4.000  institute  workers  has  been  formed  in  the  institute 
office,  correspondence  conducted  with  these  persons,  and  literature  and  information 
supplied. 

The  Institute  Specialist  has  during  this  period  visited  most  of  the  States  easl  of  the 
Rocky  Mountains  and  has  conferred  with  institute  directors  and  lecturers  and  deliv- 
ered lectures  in  all  of  the  States  visited. 

The  office  of  the  specialist  has  been  in  addition  to  its  investigation  character  a  clear- 
ing house  for  the  farmers'  institute  workers  of  the  country. 

THE  AMERICAN  ASSOCIATION   OF  FARMERS'  INSTITUTE 

WORKERS. 

The  organization  of  the  American  Association  of  Farmers'  Institute  Workers  look 
place  at  YVatertown.  Wis..  March  13.  1896.  George  McKerrow.  of  Madison.  Wis.,  super- 
intendent of  farmers'  institutes  for  that  State,  issued  a  call  in  the  winter  of  1896  for  a 
meeting  of  the  farmers'  institute  workers  of  the  United  States  and  Canada  to  lie  held 
at  Watertown,  Wis..  March  13,  1896. 

The  attendance  at  this  first  meeting  was  quite  small,  only  a  few  of  the  States  being 
represented,  and  those  were  for  the  mosl  part  the  nearby  States.  ().('.  Gregg,  farmers' 
institute  superintendent  for  Minnesota,  was  elected  temporary  chairman,  and  F.  W. 
Taylor,  institute  superintendent  for  Nebraska,  was  made  temporary  secretary. 

Mr.  McKerrow.  in  explaining  the  purpose  of  the  meeting,  stated  that  "there  was  felt 
to  l.e  a  need  for  a  meeting  of  the  farmers*  institute  workers  of  the  several  States  to 
exchange  views  and  compare  experiences.  No  two  States  have  the  same  plan  under 
which  institute  work  is  carried  on,  but  all  have  some  good  points  aboul  which  we  all 
ought  bo  he  informed.  There  seemed  to  he  a  feeling  that  we  should  come  together 
and  acknowledge  our  mistakes  end  tell  of  our  successes  in  order  that  others  need  not 
experience  the  same  failures." 

After  discussion  it  was  agreed  to  form  a  permanent  organization,  and  the  temporary 
officers,  on  motion  of  Kenyon  L.  Butterfield,  of  Michigan,  were  made  permanent,  and 
a  committee  consisting  of  C.  W.  Garfield,  of  Michigan:  George  McKerrow.  of  Wiscon- 
sin, and  F.  W.  Taylor,  of  Nebraska,  was  appointed  by  the  chair  to  prepare  and  report 
a  constitution.  The  committee  before  adjournment  reported  a  draft  of  a  proposed 
constitution,  which  after  discussion  and  amendment  was  adopted,  the  understanding 
being  that  its  final  ratification  would  take  place  at  the  next  meeting  of  the  association. 

The  following  resolution,  introduced  by  Mr.  Garfield  and  adopted  by  the  a  — 
ciation,  is  worthy  of  special  notice  because  of  its  pronounced  declaration  upon  the 


12 

queetfon  of  the  relation  of  the  farmers'  institute  to  the  agricultural  college  and  the 
experiment  Btation. 

Resolved,  As  the  sense  of  this  association,  that  the  fanners*  institutes  of  each  State 
and  Province  should  be  guided  by  souk-  central  authority  which  recognizes  the  agri- 
cultural college  and  experiment  station  as  the  Leaders  of  our  Bystem  of  agricultural 
education,  and  the  farmers'  institute  as  a  Btrong,  active,  and  effective  ally. 

After  a  very]  full  and  instructive  discussion  of  the  Beveral  subjects  presented, 
adjournment  was  taken  to  meet  in  Chicago  on  October  II.  L896.  There  were  present 
at  this  meeting  at  Watertown  about  thirty  representative  men  from  Wisconsin,  and 
also  delegates  from  Illinois.  Minnesota,  Ohio,  Michigan,  and  Nebraska. 

CHICAGO   MEETING. 

The  adjourned  meeting  of  the  association  was  held  in  Chicago,  according  to  appoint- 
ment, October  14,  L896,  and  continued  for  two  days.  A  program  had  been  prepared 
for  this  meeting,  the  several  subjects  to  be  opened  with  addresses  or  papers  by  the 

following  gentlemen:  K.  L.  Butter  field,  Michigan:  W.  C.  Latta.  Indiana;  John  Ham- 
ilton. Pennsylvania:  G.  A.  Smith,  New  York:  P>.  \Y.  McKeen,  Maine:  EL  C.  Gregg, 
Minnesota;  George  McKerrow,  Wisconsin;  Mary  A.  Mayo.  Michigan:  Charles  P.  Fox. 
Idaho:  \Y.  S.  Devol,  Arizona:  E.  J.  Wickson,  California:  R.  E.  A.  Leach.  Canada: 
W.W.  Miller.  Ohio;  0.  Clute,  Florida,  and  others. 

There  were  present  at  the  first  session  ?9  persons.  A  committee  on  nominations 
appointed  by  the  chair  recommended  as  officers  for  the  ensuing  year,  for  president, 
George  McKerrow,  of  Wisconsin:  vice-president.  K.  L.  Butterfield,  of  Michigan;  ?ec- 
retary  and  treasurer,  F.  W.  Taylor,  of  Nebraska.  The  recommendation  of  the  com- 
mittee was  unanimously  adopted. 

The  committee  that  had  been  appointed  on  const  it  ut  i<  .11  and  by-laws  reported,  recom- 
mending the  form  that  had  been  agreed  upon  at  the  Watertown  meeting.  After  the 
reading  of  the  report  John  Hamilton,  of  Pennsylvania,  offered  a  substitute,  which, 
after  discussion,  was  adopted.     The  substitute  is  as  follows: 

CONSTITUTION.   AS    ADOPTED. 


Article  I.  Name. — This  organization  shall  be  known  by  the  name  of  The  American 
Association  of  Farmers'  Institute  Managers. 

Article  II.  Officers. — The  officers  shall  consist  of  a  president,  vice-president,  and 
secretary-treasurer,  to  be. elected  by  ballot. 

Article  III.  Membership. — The  membership  shall  consist  of  one  representative  for 
each  State  or  Province  in  the  I  nited  States  or  Canada,  who  shall  be  in  charge  of  the 
State  or  provincial  farmers'  institute  work  as  its  general  superintendent,  director,  or 
manager,  or  his  official  representative. 

Article  IV.  Dues. — In  order  to  membership  in  this  association  each  individual 
entitled  to  membership  and  qualified  as  stated  in  Article  III  shall  pay  annually  to  the 
treasurer  of  the  association  the  sum  of  $10. 

Article  V.  Term  of  office. — The  term  of  office  of  the  officers  of  this  association  shall 
be  for  one  year  from  the  1st  day  of  January  next  following  their  election  or  until  their 
successors  are  elected. 

Article  VI.  The  duties  of  officers. — The  duties  of  the  officers  of  this  association  shall 
be  those  usually  performed  by  officials  of  like  rank  in  similar  associations. 

Article  VII.  Associate  members. — Associate  members  of  this  organization  may  be 
elected  from  time  to  time  upon  the  presentation  of  their  names  by  some  member  of  the 
association  and  upon  their  receiving  the  votes  of  at  least  two-thirds  of  the  members 
present. 

Article  VIII.  Dues  of  associate  members. — The  annual  dues  of  an  associate  member 
shall  be  $  1 . 

Article  IX.  Power  of  associate  members. — Associate  members  shall  be  entitled  to  sit 
in  all  of  the  sessions  of  the  association  and  to  take  part  in  all  discussions,  but  shall  have 
no  vote. 

Article  X.  By-laws. — This  association  shall  have  power  to  make  by-laws  from  time 
to  time  not  inconsistent  with  this  constitution. 


13 


/ 


Article  XI.  Executive  committee.  There  shall  bean  executive  committee  consist- 
ing of  the  president  and  the  secretarj  -treasurer  of  this  association,  ex  officio,  and  three 
other  mem  oers  to  be<  lected  annually  by  ballot,  who  shall  meet  al  thecal!  of  the  presi- 
dent and  ha vi-  charge  of  such  matters  of  business  relating  to  the  association  as  il  shall 
be  necessary  to  attend  to  in  the  interval  between  the  annual  meetings,  and  il  Bhall  be 
their  duty  to  report  such  action  as  they  may  take  to  the  next  regular  meeting  of  the 
asBOciat  ion. 

Article  XII.  ( xhanyi  in  constitution.  This  constitution, shall  not  be  changed  excepl 
by  a  vote  of  two-third.<  of  the  members  at  a  regular  annual  meeting  held  one  year  from 
the  date  on  which  the  proposed  alteration  01  amendment  has  been  first  presented. 

BT-LAWS. 

1.  T^e  time  of  meeting  of  this  organization  Bhall  he  lixt  by  the  association. 

2.  Urder  of  business: 

1 .  ( 'ailing  the  roll  of  membership. 

2.  Reading  of  minutes  of  previous  meeting. 

3.  Admission  of  new  members. 

4.  Reports  of  committees. 

5.  Election  of  officers. 

(i.  Appointment  of  committees. 

7.  Unfinished  business. 

8.  New  business. 

9.  Adjournment. 

After  the  adoption  of  the  constitution  and  under  its  provision  the  three  additional 
members  of  the  executive  committee  were  elected,  as  follows:  John  Hamilton,  of 
Pennsylvania;  AV.  W.  Miller,  of  Ohio,  and  W.  C.  Latta,  of  Indiana.  Before  adjourn- 
ment the  plaee  of  the  next  meeting  was  fixt  for  Columbus,  Ohio,  and  the  time  Octo- 
ber, 181)7,  the  exact  date  to  be  set  by  the  executive  committee. 

The  following  list  includes  the  names  of  those  present  at  both  the  Watertown  and 
Chicago  meetings,  as  presented  in  the  consolidated  report  of  the  proceedings  of  these 
meetings  published  by  the  secretary:  "■ 

Members. — J.  F.  Culver,  Montgomery,  Ala.;  O.  Clute,  Lake  City,  Fla.:  W.  C 
Latta,  Lafayette.  Ind.;  B.  Walker  McKeen,  Augusta,  Me.;  R.  E.  A.  Leach,  Brandon 
Manitoba;  W.  L.  Amoss,  College  Park,  Md.;  K.  L.  Butterfield,  Agricultural  College 
Mich.;  F.  W.  Taylor,  Lincoln,  Nebr.;  F.  E.  Dawley,  Albany.  X.  Y.;  W.  W.  Miller 
Columbus,  Ohio;  F.  W.  Hodson,  Guelph,  Ontario;  John  Hamilton,  Harrisburg,  Pa. 
George  McKorrow,  Madison,  Wis. 

Associate  members. — M.  T.  Allen,  Waupaca,  Wis.;  S.  C.  Bassett,  Gibbon,  Nebr. 
W.  C.  Bradley.  Hudson.  Wis.:  I.  H.  Butteriield,  Agricultural  College,  Mich.;  W.  L 
Carlyle,  80  Lyndale  avenue.  Minneapolis.  Minn.;  A.  F.  Coddington,  Syracuse,  Nebr. 
John  W.  Decker,  Madison.  Wis.:  A.  Allen  Francis,  New  Lenox,  111.:  R.  W.  Furnas 
Brownville,  Nebr.;  E.  L.  Furness,  Furnessville,  Ohio;  C.  W.  Garfield,  Grand  Rapids 
Mich.:  Milton  George,  editor  Farmers'  Union,  Chicago,  111.;  S.  G.  Gist,  Wellsburg 
W.  Ya.:  A.  P.  Grout,  Winchester,  111.:  W.  R.  Hostetter.  Mount  Carroll,  111.;  W.  B 
Lloyd,  agricultural  editor  Farm,  Field,  and  Fireside,  Chicago,  111.;  Ed.  Mclntyre 
Seward,  Nebr.;  (1.  A.  Marshall,  Arlington,  Nebr.;  J.  H.  Monrad,  Winnetka,  111.;  C.  J 
Monroe,  South  Haven.  Mich.;  F.  S.  Phoenix,  Bloomington,  Ilk;  W.  A.  Poynter 
Albion.  Nebr.:  ('.  A.  Shainel,  managing  editor  Orange  Judd  Farmer,  Chicago,  111. 
John  L.  Shawver,  Bellefontaine,  Ohio;  John  T.  Stimson,  Fayetteville,  Ark.;  B.  R 
Stouffer,  Bellevue.  Nebr.;  II.  F.  Thurston,  editor  Farmers'  Review,  Chicago,  111. 
O.  J.  Vine,  Canton,  111.;  W.  G.  Yineenheller,  Little  Rock,  Ark.;  C.  J.  Warner,  Wa- 
verly,  Nebr.;  L.  L.  Young,  Oakland.  Nebr. 

COLUMBUS  MEETING. 

The  second  annual  convention  of  the  association  was  held  in  Columbus.  Ohio.  Octo- 
ber 27  and  28,  1897.  A  formal  program  had  been  prepared,  and  speakers  had  been 
engaged  to  discuss  the  subjects  assigned.  Reports  from  the  delegates  representing  the 
several  States  were  presented  and  discust.  The  officers  elected  were:  President, 
John  Hamilton,  of  Pennsylvania;  vice-president,  W.  C.  Latta.  of  Indiana:  secretary- 
treasurer,  F.  W.  Taylor,  of  Nebraska.     The  three  elective  members  of  the  executive 

a  Report  of  the  meetings  of  The  American  Association  of  Farmers'  Institute  Man- 
agers, by  F.  W.  Taylor,  Lincoln,  Nebr.,  1897. 


N 


14 


committee  chosen  were  W.  W.  Miller.  Ohio:  K.  L.  Butterfield,  Michigan,  and  0.  0. 
Gregg,  Minnesota. 

Fourteen  States  and  two  of  the  Provinces  of  Canada  were  represented  at  this  meeting 
by  their  State  <>r  provincial  institute  directors. 

[t  was  at  this  meet  ing  that  action  was  first  taken  Looking  toward  cooperat  ion  between 
the  institutes  and  the  National  Department  of  Agriculture  at  Washington.  The  sub- 
ject  was  introduced  by  the  following  question  presented  for  discussion  by  the  com- 
mittee in  charge  of  the  question  box:  "What  support  should  fanners*  institutes  have 
from  the  United  states  Department  of  Agriculture,  and  how  shall  such  ((.operation  be 
secured?" 

After  very  full  discussion  the  following  mot  ion.  offered  by  F.  \Y.  Taylor,  of  Nebraska, 
and  seconded  by  W.   I-  Anioss.  of  Maryland,  was  adopted: 

Moved  that  the  association  at  this  time  appoint  a  committee  of  three,  consisting  of 
the  ]>resi  dent -elect  (John  Hamilton  |  and  two  others  to  he  appointed  by  the  president- 
elect, the  business  of  which  committee  shall  he  between  the  present  time  and  the 
date  of  our  next  annual  meeting  to  gather  such  facts  as  are  obtainable  and  get  in  touch 
with  the  Department  of  Agriculture  at  Washington,  and  inquire  thoroly  into  the 
question  of  the  feasibility  and  advisability  of  a  relation  and  union,  such  as  has  been 
outlined  either  directly  or  indirectly  with  the  Agricultural  Department  of  the  United 
States,  and  submit  their  report  at  the  next  meeting. 

The  committee  above  referred  to  was  duly  appointed,  and  consisted  of  the  president, 
John  Hamilton.  W.  C.  Latta.  and  F.  W.  Taylor. 

The  association  adjourned  to  meet  at  Omaha.  Xebr..  in  1898,  the  precise  date  to  be 
iixt  by  the  executive  committee.  A  report  of  the  proceedings  was  prepared  and 
published  by  the  secretary. 

OMAHA  MEETING. 

The  third  annual  meeting  of  the  association  was  held  October  4  and  5,  JS!)S.  at 
Omaha.  Xebr.  The  attendance  was  quite  small,  believed  to  have  been  occasioned 
by  the  fact  that  the  association  as  then  organized,  being  substantially  a  close  cor- 
poration, was  too  limited  in  its  membership  to  be  of  general  interest.  In  the  absence 
of  the  president  and  the  vice-president,  Franklin  Dye,  of  Xew  Jersey,  was  elected 
to  preside.  The  following  officers  were  elected  for  the  ensuing  year:  President, 
Franklin  Dye.  of  Xew  Jersey:  vice-president,  F.  E.  Dawley.  of  Xew  York;  and  secre- 
tary and  treasurer.  George  McKerrow,  of  "Wisconsin. 

The  committee  that  had  been  appointed  at  the  Columbus  meeting  to  consider  the 
question  of  the  cooperation  of  the  United  States  Department  of  Agriculture  with  the 
farmers'  institutes  forwarded  their  report  to  the  secretary  of  the  association.  The 
chairman  of  the  committee  and  Mr.  Latta  were  unable  to  be  present  at  the  meeting. 
As  a  consequence  the  resolutions  do  not  seem  to  have  been  presented,  or  if  they  were 
no  action  is  recorded  respecting  them.  The  report,  however,  had  been  carefully  con- 
sidered by  the  committee  and  would  have  been  urged  upon  the  attention  of  the  asso- 
ciation if  a  majority  of  the  members  had  been  present.     The  report    is   as    follows: 

The  committee  appointed  at  the  annual  meeting  of  the  American  Association  of 
Farmers'  Institute  Managers,  held  at  Columbus.  Ohio.  October  27  and  28,  1897,  to 
report  upon  "The  feasibility  and  desirability  of  a  more  intimate  relation  and  union 
between  this  association  and  the  Department  of  Agriculture  of  the  United  States" 
respectfully  report  that  after  having  conferred  with  the  Hon.  James  Wilson.  Secretary 
of  the  Department  of  Agriculture  of  the  United  States,  they  have  agreed  upon  the 
following  recommendations: 

(1)  That  the  Secretary  of  the  Department  of  Agriculture  at  Washington  be  requested 
to  arrange  for  a  division  in  connection  with  thai  Department.  t<>  be  known  as  the 
"Division  of  Farmers'  Institutes."  and  to  appoint  a  suitable  officer  who  shall  be  in 
charge. 

(2)  That  the  Secretary  of  the  Department  of  Agriculture  be  requested  to  arrange 
Eor  the  sending  out  of  suitable  scientific  lecturers  to  the  several  States  to  assist  the 
State  managers  in  the  farmers"  institute  work. 


Thai  the  Secretary  of  the  Department  of  Agriculture,  thru  the  officer  of  the 
Division  <>!'  Farmers'  Institutes,  be  requested  to  annually  colle<  i .  i  o  pil«  and  publish 
statistics  of  the  institute  work  conducted  by  the  several  States,  and  distribute  such 
documents  in  the  same  manner  as  like  publications  are  now  distributed   by  thai 

Depart  ineiu . 

■  [)  Thai  a  bill  be  prepared  to  be  presented  to  the  Congress  of  the  United  States 
providing  for  an  appropriation  to  the  several  stales  for  farmers'  institute  purposes, 
\>  be  apporl  ioned  pro  rata,  according  to  the  Dumber  of  farms  i  farmer*  i  in  each  State. 

That  this  hill  shall  provide  that  the  moneys  so  appropriated  Bhall  be  used 
exclusively  in  the  payment  of  the  salaries  and  expenses  of  (  omp<  tent  instructors,  and 
that  each  State  receiving  the  benefits  of  this  act  Bhall  appropriate  out  of  the  state 
treasury  for  institute  purposes  at  least  as  much  as  is  received  from  the  National  (Gov- 
ernment. 

dii  That  each  State  before  receiving  the  benefits  <>f  this  act  .-hall  appoint  a  State 
director  of  institutes,  who  shall  have  charge  of  the  expenditure  of  these  funds,  ami  who 
shall  report  annually  on  the  30th  day  of  June  to  the  auditor-general  of  his  State,  and 
also  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Department  of  Agriculture  at  Washington,  giving  an 
itemized  account  of  the  expenditures  for  institute  purposes  for  the  preceding  year, 
according  to  a  form  to  he  provided  l>y  the  Secretary  of  the  Department  of  Agriculture 
at  Washington. 

Respectfully  submitted. 

John   Hamilton, 
W.  C.  Latta, 
F.  W.  Taylor, 

( 'ornmii 

The  committee  had  agreed  upon  all  of  the  items  contained  in  the  report  except  the 
portion  embraced  by  section  G,  which  one  of  the  members  fell  should  be  modified  so 
as  to  permit  the  States  to  place  the  supervision  with  the  agricultural  college  and 
experiment  station  if  desired. 

The  association  adjourned  to  meet  in  the  State  of  New  York.  No  formal  report  of 
the  Omaha  meeting  seems  ever  to  have  been  published. 

ROCHESTER    MEETING. 

The  fourth  annual  meeting  of  the  association  was  held  at  Rochester,  N.Y.,  March  29 
and  :')().  IS!)!),  and  was  well  attended. 

At  this  meeting  the  name  of  the  association  was  changed  from  the  American  Associa- 
tion of  Farmers'  Institute  Managers  to  that  of  the  American  Association  of  Farmers' 
Institute  Workers.  The  officers  elected  for  the  ensuing  year  were:  President,  F.  E. 
Dawley.  Fayetteville.  N.  Y.;  vice-president,  Kenyon  L.  Butterfieldj  Agricultural 
College.  Mich.:  secretary-treasurer,  F.  W.  Taylor,  Lincoln.  Nebr.;  executive  commit- 
tee, F.  W.  Hodson,  Guelph,  Ontario.  W.  C.  Latta.  Lafayette,  Ind.,  and  fl.  W.  Colling- 
wood.  Xew  York.  The  proceedings  of  the  meeting  were  published  in  the  Transactions 
of  the  Xew  York  Agricultural  Society  and  Bureau  of  Farmers'  Institutes  for  L898. 

DELEVAN   MEETING. 

The  fifth  annual  meeting  of  the  association  was  held  at  Delevan,  Wis.,  during  the 

evening  of  March  15,  1900.     In  the  absence  of  the  president,   F.  E.   Dawley.  of  New 
York,  the  chair  was  occupied  by  Clinton  D.  Smith,  of  Michigan. 

The  nominating  committee  presented  the  names  of  the  following  gentlemen  for  offi- 
cers for  the  ensuing  year:  President,  C.  D.  Smith.  Lansing.  Mich.:  vice-president, 
G.  A.  Willmarth,  Seneca.  111.,  and  secretary-treasurer,  G.  »'.  Creelman,  Toronto, 
Canada.  For  the  executive  committee :  W.  C.  Latta.  Lafayette.  Ind.:  S.  A.Cochrane, 
Brookings,  S.  Dak.,  and  \Y.  L.  Amoss,  College  Park.  Md.  The  fixing  of  the  time  and 
place  for  the  next  meeting  was  left  to  the  executive  committee.  A  brief  account  giv- 
ing the  minutes  of  this  meeting  was  published  in  the  annual  publication  of  the  Wis- 
consin  Farmers'  Institute  for  the  year  1900, 


16 

BUFFALO   MEETING. 

The  sixth  animal  meeting  was  held  in  Buffalo,  X.  V.,  September  IS  and  li),  L901. 
The  officers  elected  at  this  meeting  were:  President,  W.  L.  Amoss,  College  Park.  M<1.; 
vice-president,  W.  L.  Hutchinson,  Agricultural  College,  Miss.,  and  secretary-treasurer, 
(i.  ('.  Creelman,  Guelph,  Ontario. 

1'])  to  this  time  the  proceedings  of  the  annual  meetings  were  published  either  by  the 
ass<  >ciation  itself  or  by  the  superintendent  of  institutes  of  the  State  in  which  the  annual 
meeting  was  held.  The  meeting  at  Buffalo,  however,  marked  an  important  change  in 
this  respect.  The  records  of  this  meeting  were  reported,  edited,  and  published  by  the 
( >ffice  of  Experiment  Stations  of  the  United  States  Department  of  Agriculture,  in  con- 
junction with  the  secretary  of  the  association,  and  were  printed  by  the  Department. a 
The  proceedings  of  all  subsequent  annual  meetings  have  been  similarly  reported  and 
published. & 

At  this  meeting  also  A.  C.  True,  of  the  Office  of  Experiment  Stations  of  the  National 
Department  of  Agriculture,  made  an  address  that  marks  the  beginning  of  the  coopera- 
tion between  that  Department  and  the  institutes  so  much  desired  by  the  institute 
workers.  In  the  course  of  his  remarks  he  stated  that  "it  is  the  intention  of  Secretary 
Wilson  in  his  forthcoming  report  to  urge  that  an  appropriation  be  made  at  the  next 
session  of  Congress  for  work  in  connection  with  the  farmers'  institutes." 

This  meeting,  although  held  during  the  period  of  the  Exposition  when  President 
McKinley's  body  was  awaiting  burial,  was  wrell  attended  and  the  interest  was  main- 
tained until  the  close. 

WASHINGTON   MEETING. 

The  seventh  annual  meeting  was  held  in  Washington,  D.  C,  June  24-26,  1902. 
Inasmuch  as  the  proceedings  of  this  meeting  of  the  association  and  those  subsequently 
held  are  printed  by  the  Department  of  Agriculture  and  are  accessible  upon  application 
to  that  Department,  it  is  unnecessary  to  do  more  than  to  mention  the  list  of  officers  and 
the  places  and  dates  of  the  meeting. 

The  officers  elected  at  Washington  were:  President,  W.  C.  Latta,  (f  Indiana;  vice- 
president,  J.  G.  Lee,  of  Louisiana,  and  secretary-treasurer,  G.  C.  Creelman,  Ontario. 

TORONTO   MEETING. 

The  eighth  annual  meeting  was  held  in  the  Parliament  Buildings,  Toronto,  Canada, 
June  23-26,  1903. 

The  officers  elected  were:  President,  B.  W.  Kilgore,  Raleigh,  N.  C;  vice-president, 
E.  E.  Kaufman,  Fargo,  N.  Dak.;  and  secretary-treasurer,  G.  C.  Creelman,  Toronto, 
Canada. 

The  attendance  at  this  meeting  was  quite  remarkable  and  the  interest  greater, 
perhaps,  than  at  any  previous  meeting  in  the  history  of  the  organization. 

ST.    LOUIS   MEETING. 

The  ninth  annual  meeting  was  held  in  the  Agricultural  Building,  World's  Fair 
Grounds,  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  October  18-20,  1904. 

The  officers  elected  were:  President,  J.  C.  Hardy,  Agricultural  College,  Miss.;  vice- 
president,  E.  A.  Burnett,  Lincoln,  Xebr.;  and  secretary-treasurer,  G.  C.  Creelman, 
Guelph,  Canada;  executive  committee,  J.  G.  Lee,  Baton  Rouge,  La.;  F.  H.  Hall, 
Aurora,  111.,  and  L.  A.  Clinton,  Storrs,  Conn. 

aV.  S.  Dept.  Agr.,  Office  of  Experiment  Stations  Bui.  110. 

b\J.  S.  Dept.  Agr.,  Office  of  Experiment  Stations  Buls.  130,  138,  154,  and  165. 


17 

Full  information  respecting  the  proceedings  can  be  had  from  the  account  published 
by  ilw  Department  of  A.griculture.  This  meeting  had  an  attendance  oi  about  one 
hundred  and  is  remarkable  for  the  interest  displayed  and  the  faithfulness  with  which 
the  delegates  attended  the  several  sessions. 

Prom  the  time  that  the  original  constitution  was  adopted  in  l^ii  there  have  been 
numerous  amendments  added,  resulting  in  practically  a  new  constitution.  The 
nanges  have  affected  the  membership  of  the  organization  by  liberalizing  the  require- 
ments so  as  to  include  all  fanners'  institute  workers,  whether  directly  connected  with 
the  State  management  or  not. 

The  amended  constitution  is  as  follows: 

CONSTITUTION   OF   THE   ASSOCIATION. 

Article  I. 

NAMK. 

This  organization  shall  be  known  by  the  name  of   The  American  Association  of 

Fanners'  Institute  Workers. 

Article  II. 

OFFICERS. 

The  officers  shall  consist  of  a  president,  vice-president,  and  secretary-treasurer,  to  be 
elected  by  ballot. 

Article  III. 

MEMBERSHIP. 

Any  active  worker  in  the  farmers'  institutes  in  the  United  States  and  Canada  may 
become  a  regular  member  of  this  association  on  payment  of  the  annual  dues,  and  is 
entitled  to  one  vote.  A  delegate  member  representing  the  State  farmers'  institute 
organization  shall  be  admitted  from  each  State  and  Province,  on  compliance  with  the 
by-laws,  and  shall  be  entitled  to  cast  five  votes  on  any  question:  Provided,  That  the 
annual  membership  dues  of  the  person  shall  be  $1  and  that  of  the  State  $5.  Also  the 
United  States  Department  of  Agriculture  and  the  Office  of  Experiment  Stations  of  that 
Department  shall  each  be  entitled  to  representation  in  the  association,  with  the  full 
privileges  of  delegate  membership. 

Article  IV. 


The  annual  dues  of  delegate  members  shall  be  $5  for  six  representatives  of  each 
State.     The  annual  dues  of  members  not  delegates  shall  be  $1. 

Article  V. 

term  of  office. 

The  term  of  office  of  the  officers  of  this  association  shall  be  for  one  year  from  the  1st 
day  of  January  next  following  their  election,  or  until  their  successors' are  elected. 

Article  VI. 

DUTIES    OF    OFFICERS. 

The  duties  of  the  officers  of  this  association  shall  be  those  usually  performed  by 
officials  of  like  rank  in  similar  associations. 

Article  VII. 

ASSOCIATE    MEMBERS. 

Honorary  members  of  this  organization  may  be  elected  from  time  to  time  upon  the 
presentation  of  their  names  by  some  member  of  the  association  and  upon  their  receiv- 
ing the  votes  of  at  least  two-thirds  of  the  members  present. 

11797— No.  174—06 2 


18 


Ai:ti<  i.k   VIII. 

POWEB    OF    IIONOKAKV    MEMBERS. 

Honorary  members  shall  he  entitled  to  sil  in  all  of  the  sessions  of  the  association  and 
to  lake  part  in  all  discussions,  hut  shall  have  no  vote. 

Article  IX. 

BY-LAWS. 

This  association  shall  have  power  to  make  by-laws  from  time  to  time  not  incon- 
sistent with  this  constitution. 

Article  X. 

EXECUTIVE    COMMITTEE. 

There  shall  be  an  executive  committee  consisting  of  the  president  and  the  secretary- 
treasurer  of  this  association,  ex  officio,  and  three  other  members,  to  be  elected  annually 
by  ballot,  who  shall  meet  at  the  call  of  the  president  and  have  charge  of  such  matters 
of  business  relating  to  the  association  as  shall  be  necessary  to  attend  to  in  the  interval 
between. the  annual  meetings,  and  it  shall  be  their  duty  to  report  such  action  as  they 
may  take  to  the  next  regular  meeting  of  the  association. 

Article  XI. 

CHANGE    IX    CONSTITUTION. 

This  constitution  shall  not  be  changed  except  by  a  vote  of  two-thirds  of  the  mem- 
bers at  a  regular  annual  meeting  held  one  year  from  the  date  on  which  the  proposed 
alteration  or  amendment  has  been  first  presented. 

BY-LAWS. 

(1)  The  time  of  meeting  of  this  organization  shall  be  fixt  by  the  association. 

(2)  Order  of  business: 

1.  Calling  the  roll  of  membership. 

2.  Reading  of  minutes  of  previous  meeting. 

3.  Admission  of  new  members. 

4.  Reports  of  committees. 

5.  Election  of  officers. 

6.  Appointment  of  committees. 

7.  Unfinished  business. 

8.  New  business. 

9.  Adjournment. 

INSTITUTES  IN  THE  SEVERAL  STATES  AND  TERRITORIES. 

ALABAMA. 

The  farmers'  institute  movement  in  Alabama  began  in  the  latter  part  of  the  decade 
1880-1889.  Each  year  during  that  period  a  few  farmers'  meetings  were  held  by  the 
staff  of  the  agricultural  college  experiment  station  in  cooperation  with  the  State 
commissioner  of  agriculture. 

Most  of  these  meetings  were  in  connection  with  those  held  at  that  time  by  the 
Farmers'  Alliance.  This  association  soon  became  involved  in  political  difficulties 
that  affected  its  influence,  in  consequence  of  wrhich  all  meetings  called  for  farmers  for 
Beveral  years  thereafter  were  looked  upon  as  being  prospective  political  schemes  and 
were  accordingly  avoided  by  the  country  people. 

In  the  year  L892,  ('.  A.  Gary,  of  the  Alabama  Polytechnic  Institute,  began  holding 
a  series  of  meetings  in  the  various  counties  under  the  general  direction  of  that  insti- 
tution. The  meetings  during  the  first  year  had  a  very  small  attendance,  but  when  a 
second  was  held  in  the  same  locality  a  larger  and  more  interested  audience  was  always 


19 

preset ii .  ( rradually  the  confidence  of  the  farming  people  was  regained .  and  the  Insti- 
tutes are  highly  regarded  by  the  tanners  as  substantial  aids  in  the  improvement  of 
their  agriculture.  During  the  period  jusl  referred  to  the  lecturers  a1  the  institutes 
deall  almost  wholly  with  the  live-stock  industry— l  he  diseases  of  live  stock,  the  caring 
and  feeding  of  domestic  animals,  etc. 

After  about  five  years  of  work  of  this  character  by  Dr.  Cary,  assisted  from  time 
to  time  by  the  members' of  the  staff  of  the  agricultural  experiment  station,  the  late 
William  Leroy  Brown  succeeded  in  inducing  the  board  of  trustees  of  the  Alabama 
•Polytechnic  Institute  to  appropriate  the  sum  of  $400  annually  for  farmers'  institute 
purposes.  This  amount  was  continued  each  year  until  three  years  ago,  when  it  was 
increased  to  |600  per  year,  and  in  L904  was  still  further  increased  to  $800. 

The  condition  and  progress  of  the  institute  work  is  exhibited  in  the  following  state- 
ment covering  the  past  six  years,  showing  the  number  of  institutes  held,  the  counties 
visited,  and  the  attendance: 

County  institute  meetings  in  Alabama. 


Year  ended— 

Institutes 
held. 

Counties 
visited. 

Attendance. 

Total. 

Average. 

July  1,1899 

21 

21 
13 
17 
8 
21 
23 

1,572 
701 

1,112 
518 

2,630 

3,639 

78 
50 
62 
'65 
119 
152 

July  1, 1900 

July  1,1901 

July  1,1902 

July  1,1903 

July  1,1904 

14 

IS 
8 
22 
24 

Total 

107 

103 

10,172 

95 

There  is  no  State  law  regulating  or  controlling  the  work.  What  is  being  done  is 
wholly  under  the  direction  of  the  board  of  trustees  of  the  Alabama  Polytechnic  Insti- 
tute and  of  the  agricultural  experiment  station.  This  body,  as  has  been  intimated, 
appropriates  all  of  the  money  that  is  used  for  conducting  the  institute  work  and  auth- 
orizes the  members  of  the  faculty  of  the  Polytechnic  Institute  and  the  staff  of  the 
experiment  station  to  render  such  assistance  in  lecturing  before  these  meetings  as  they 
may  be  able,  not  to  interfere  with  their  regular  work  in  the  institutions  to  Which  they 
belong. 

The  director  of  institutes  is  appointed  by  the  board  for  a  period  of  one  year  to  act 
as  their  representative. 

There  are  no  permanent  local  institute  organizations  in  the  State.  The  arranging 
of  tlie  dates,  selecting  places,  and  the  preparing  of  the  programs  are  all  in  the  hands 
of  the  State  director. 

ALASKA. 

Farmers'  institutes  have  not  been  organized  in  Alaska,  but  the  special  agent  in  charge 
of  the  experiment  station  at  Sitka,  as  he  visits  the  various  districts,  takes  advantage  of 
the  opportunity  to  give  advice  as  to  more  advanced  methods  that  might  be  employed  in 
improving  the  agriculture  of  the  several  localities. 

ARIZONA. 


The  farmers'  institute  movement  in  Arizona  originated  in  1895.  On  October  18  a 
convention  of  farmers,  fruit  growers,  and  stockmen  assembled  in  Phoenix  in  response 
to  a  call  issued  by  the  agricultural  experiment  station  and  the  Phoenix  Chamber  of 
Commerce.  The  meetings  continued  for  two  days.  William  Stowe  Devol.  director  of 
the  experiment  station,  was  elected  chairman,  and  Bruce  Perley.  of  the  Phoenix  Chamber 
of  Commerce,  secretary.     The  program  consisted  of  papers  and  addresses  upon  subjects 


20 

of  importance  to  those  in  whose  interest  the  convention  was  called.  Among  the  topics 
discust  at  this  meeting  were  economical  distribution  of  water,  fanning  in  Arizona. 
cattle  feeding,  alkali,  citrus  fruits  in  the  Sail  River  Valley,  etc. 

A  similar  meeting  was  held  <  )<  t .  .1  •<  r  21  ami  22,  L898,  in  Phoenix,  and  in  1899  eight 
farmers'  institute  meetings  were  held— two  at  Mesa  City  and  one  at  each  of  the  following 
places:  Tempe,  Buckeye,  Glendale,  Safford,  Thatcher,  and  Pima.  These  institutes 
were  organized  and  conducted  by  the  staff  of  the  agricultural  experiment  station,  who 
lectured  at  the  meetings  and  bore  bo  much  of  the  expenses  as  was  connected  with  the 
payment  of  the  lecturers  and  their  transportation  to  and  from  the  several  points. 

Institute  meetings  were  hold  each  year  thereafter,  being  conducted  under  the  direc- 
tion of  i ho  University  of  Arizona.  Until  1903  the  entire  expense  attendanl  upon  this 
work  was  borne  by  the  university  and  the  agricultural  experiment  station.  In  1903  the 
legislative  assembly  passed  an  act  providing  for  the  establishment  of  "farmers'  insti- 
tutes, and  Bhorl  courses  of  instruction"  thruout  the  Territory  and  appropriated  the  sum 
of  $2,700  for  the  purpose  of  meeting  the  expenses.  The  law  places  the  control  of  the  insti- 
tutes in  the  hands  of  the  hoard  of  regents  of  the  university. 

The  institute  work  for  the  year  1904  consisted  of  three  weeks  of  lectures  at  Thatcher 
Academy.  Thatcher.  Ariz.,  on  subjects  relating  to  soils,  irrigation,  alkali,  pruning  of 
fruit  trees,  plant  lice,  plant  diseases,  dairying,  and  feeding.  There  was  an  average 
attendance  of  about  forty  persons  at  each  meeting  and  the  lectures  were  by  two  members 
of  the  experiment  station  staff,  who  averaged  two  hours  a  day  for  fourteen  days.  The 
direction  of  the  institute  work  has  been  placed,  by  the  regents  of  the. university,  in  the 
hands  of  the  director  of  the  agricultural  experiment  station. 

ARKANSAS. 

Fanners'  institutes  have  not  been  organized  in  Arkansas. 

CALIFORNIA. 

From  the  establishment  of  the  university  in  1868  the  members  of  the  teaching  staff  of 
the  college  of  agriculture  participated  in  the  proceedings  of  societies  and  conventions 
devoted  to  agricultural  progress  and  the  dissemination  of  agricultural  information. 
Such  association  with  practical  agriculturists  secured  important  results.  It  brought  the 
institution  and  its  purposes  directly  to  the  attention  of  those  whom  it  aims  to  benefit  and 
won  their  interest  and  support:  it  assisted  the  members  of  the  college  staff  by  increasing 
their  knowledge  of  agricultural  conditions  and  needs;  it  also,  to  some  extent  at  least, 
gave  the  staff  opportunity  to  observe  the  natural  resources  and  characteristics  of  the 
State.  Since,  therefore,  all  possible  participation  in  agricultural  assemblies  had  been 
gladly  undertaken,  an  opportunity  for  freer  intercourse  with  the  people  in  their  local 
meetings  was  welcomed.  This  opportunity  arose  with  the  request  from  the  California 
State  Grange,  addrest  to  the  regents  of  the  university,  that  farmers'  institutes  be 
undertaken  under  the  auspices  of  the  University  of  California,  and  die  regents  deemed 
it  fitting  to  undertake  an  extension  of  the  instructional  work  of  the  college  of  agricul- 
ture through  the  farmers'  institute  method.  This  action  was  taken  by  the  regents  in 
March.  1891 :  the  beginning  of  institute  work  under  that  name  in  California  was  in  April, 
of  that  year,  and  E.  J.  Wicksonof  the  university  was  placed  in  charge  of  the  work  in 
addition  to  his  duties  as  instructor  in  agricultural  practice. 

It  was  decided  by  the  regents  of  the  university  at  the  inception  of  the  work  that  the 
institute  efforl  should  be  directed  to  those  parts  of  the  State  where  greatest  interest  was 
manifested  and  widest  cooperation  possible.  During  1894  and  1895  these  points  were 
clearly  in  southern  California,  and.  to  specially  minister  to  and  to  promote  this  interest. 
A.  J.  Cook,  of  Pomona  College.  Claremont,  Los  Angeles  County,  was  designated  by  the 
regent-  as  university  representative  in  farmers'  institute  work  in  southern  California. 

During  1896-97  farmers'  institute  work  was  prosecuted  with  more  vigor  and  to  a 
greater  extent  than  previously,  and  the  responsive  welcome  from  the  people  in  all  parts 


21 

of  the  State  was  proportionally  wide  and  warm.  This  result  was  directly  due  to  an  ini- 
tiative on  the  pan  of  the  regente  of  the  university.  At  the  meeting  on  June  9,  I S 
special  committee  of  ways  and  means,  composed  of  Regents  Etein°tein,  Black,  and 
[lodgers,  submitted  a  report  embodying,  among  other  important  propositions,  a  plan  for 
promoting  the  agricultural  interests  of  the  State,  w  Inch  was  adopted  by  the  board.  The 
Following  reference  to  the  institutes  was  made: 

Tin-  board  of  regents  of  the  University  of  California  has  arranged  to  hold  thruout  this 
State  liny  meetings  of  those  engaged  in  occupations  dependenl  on  the  soil,  at  which 
meetings  the  representatives  of  the  University  of  California  will  seek  to  bring  about  Buch 
a  relation  between  thai  university  and  the  agricultural  interests  of  the  State  as  shall 
minister  to  the  welfare  of  all  concerned. 

These  meetings  are  expected  to  strengthen  the  farmers'  institutes  already  organized 
and  to  further  the  creation  of  new  fanners'  institutes  and  local  fanners'  clubs,  the 
eminent  utility  of  which  is  universally  admitted. 

A  prominent  purpose  of  these  meetings  is  to  obtain  the  opinion  of  those  interested  in 
agriculture  thruoul  the  entire  State  as  to  the  best  means  «>f  spreading  and  practically 
applying  the  scientific  teaching  and  knowledge  of  the  University  of  California  on  agricul- 
ture and  other  industrial  subjects.  With  the  aid  of  such  opinions  it  is  expected  to  plan, 
as  soon  as  possible,  the  system  beft  calculated  to  accomplish  that  result  and  thereby 
increase  the  value  and  variety  of  the  products  of  the  soil  of  this  Stat.-. 

The  superintendent  was  instructed  to  carry  out  this  plan  for  the  extension  of  farmers' 
institute  work.  Edward  F.  Adams,  of  Wright's,  was  appointed  'organizer  tor  the  portion 
of  the  State  north  of  the  Tehachapi  Mountains;  and  A.  J.  Cook,  of  Claremont,  was  con- 
tinued as  organizer  in  his  district.  The  result  was  a  notable  increase  in  the  number  of 
institute-sand  in  the  interest  awakened  thruout  the  State.  Altera  year  of  very  effective 
service  Mr.  Adams  retired,  as  his  time  was  fully  required  by  other  pursuits. 

The  success  of  the  first  year's  work  under  this  broader  plan  induced  the  regents  to 
make  provision  for  wider  and  more  systematic  work  during  the  fiscal  year  1897  1)8. 
On  July  13.  1897,  a  new  university  department  was  created  under  title  ''The  Depart- 
ment of  University  Extension  in  Agriculture,"  of  which  Professor  Wickson  was  desig- 
nated "superintendent,"  and  two  assistants  were  provided,  to  be  known  as  "con- 
ductors of  farmers'  institutes."  D.  T.  Fowler  was  chosen  for  the  region  north  of 
Tehachapi  and  A.  J.  Cook  continued  for  the  region  south  of  Tehachapi. 

In  March,  1903,  the  institute  work,  which  had  been  carried  on  since  1891  by  the 
University  of  California  by  appropriation  from  its  general  funds,  was  taken  up  by  the 
State  and  direct  appropriation  made  for  its  maintenance  by  the  enactment  of  a  law 
appropriating  $6,000  per  year  for  two  years. 

In  that  same  year  Mr.  W.  T.  Clarke,  who  had  served  as  field  entomologist  of  the 
experiment  station,  was  chosen  assistant  superintendent  of  university  extension  in 
agriculture,  to  assist  in  the  farmers'  institutes  and  to  have  special  charge  of  reading 
and  correspondence  courses  which  were  formally  established. 

This  work  was  begun  in  June,  1904,  and  during  the  first  year  L75  students  were 
registered  in  the  course.  These  students  were  scattered  thru  29  of  the  57  counties  of  the 
State.  Eighty  per  cent  of  the  students  (140)  were  directly  engaged  in  fanning,  while 
the  other  20  per  cent  were  found  in  other  pursuits.  The  work  done  by  these  students 
showed  an  intelligent  and  healthy  interest. 

From  many  points  of  view  institute  work  in  California  has  been  pronounced  very 
effective  and  satisfactory,  and  a  growing  demand  has  been  manifested  for  it.  The 
most  tangible  measure  of  this  is  shown  in  the  average  number  of  institutes  from  year 
to  year,  as  follows:  1891  to  1895.  12;  1896,  52;  1897,  78;  1898,  86;  1899,  80;  1900."  81; 
1901,  82;  1902,  71;  1903,  74:  and  1904,  113. 

Attendance  has  also  increased,  the  annual  average  from  1898  to  1903  being  esti- 
mated at  23,000,  and  the  record  of  attendance,  according  to  the  method  suggested  by 
the  American  Association  of  Farmers'  Institute  Workers,  yielding  a  total  for  1904  of 
43,680. 


22 

COLORADO. 

The  secretary  of  the  State  board  of  agriculture  of  Colorado,  under  datp  of  March  1, 
1905,  states  thai  "ii  is  impossible  to  furnish  any  kind  of  a  history  of  the  fanners' 
institute  movement  in  this  State." 

The  daia.  therefore,  given  in  the  following  account  of  the  institute  work  in  Colorado, 

are  taken  from  a  paper  by  A.  C.  True  and  F.  II.  Hall,  printed  in  lS!Mi."  and  from  a 
history  of  farmers'  institutes  prepared  by  L.  II.  Bailey,  published  in  February,  1900.6 

In  the  paper  by  True  and  Hall  this  item  appears:  "In  187!)  Colorado  joined  in  the 
movement  (institute'  with  a  meeting  held  at  Fort  Collins.  November  26,  in  the  man- 
agement of  which  the  local  organization  and  the  State  board  of  agriculture  cooperated." 

Professor  Bailey,  writing  in  February,  1900,  states  that — 

Xo  direct  appropriations  were  made  by  the  general  assembly  during  this  year  (1891) 
for  the  purpose  of  supporting  and  conducting  farmers'  institutes.  The  State  board 
of  agriculture  set  aside  a  certain  sum  to  be  used  for  the  purpose  of  defraying  the  ex- 
penses of  professors  attending  such  institutes  held  in  different  parts  of  the  State. 
Since  the  year  1888  a  record  had  been  kept  of  the  amount  expended  for  this  purpose, 
which  is  as  follows:  For  the  year  1888,  $99.55;  for  the  year  1889,  $56. GO;  for  the  year 
1890,  $121.80;  for  the  year  1891,  $90;  for  the  year  1892,  the  sum  of  $500  had  been 
appropriated  for  said  purposes. 

The  farmers'  institutes  in  Colorado  are  held  under  the  auspices  of  the  State  agricul- 
tural college.  There  is  no  definite  number  held  each  year:  they  have  varied  from 
about  six  to  twenty.  The  meetings  are  not  regularly  distributed  over  the  State. 
They  are  held  entirely  in  the  irrigated  districts,  and  at  least  one-third  of  them  are  held 
in  connection  with  meetings  of  local  Pomona  granges.  There  are  also  several  local 
organizations  which  apply  to  the  college  for  speakers  to  hold  and  conduct  the  meet- 
ings. There  is  no  definite  sum  available  for  the  institutes;  each  locality  is  expected 
to  pay  the  expenses  of  the  room  in  which  the  meeting  is  held,  of  printing  programs, 
and  other  local  expenses.  The  railroads  furnish  free  transportation  and  the  college 
pays  the  rest  of  the  traveling  expenses;  also  the  hotel  expenses,  if  there  are  any.  alt  ho 
the  local  people  are  very  likely  to  take  care  of  the  speakers  while  they  are  in  town. 
On  the  average  there  has  been  less  than  $150  a  year  spent  by  the  college  on  these 
institutes.  There  is  no  State  department  of  agriculture.  There  is  a  co-called  State 
board  of  agriculture,  but  this  is  merely  the  legal  title  for  the  trustees  of  the  State 
agricultural  college. 

From  the  report  of  the  institute  director  for  the  year  ended  June  30,  1904.  the  fol- 
lowing statistics  are  taken : 

The  funds  with  which  to  carry  on  the  work  are  contributed  by  the  State  agricul- 
tural college.  The  total  expenses  last  year  (1903-4)  were  $'517.  Fifteen  institutes 
were  held,  made  up  of  36  sessions,  and  the  total  attendance  was  1.660.  The  lecture 
force  was  provided  from  the  faculty  of  the  agricultural  college  and  experiment  station 
staff.  Twelve  persons  were  sent  out  on  this  service,  contributing  in  the  aggregate 
forty-eight  days  of  time. 

The  legislature  at  its  session  of  1905  appropriated  the  sum  of  $4,000  annually  for 
the  purpose  of  organizing  and  conducting  farmers'  institutes  each  year  in  each  agri- 
cultural county  of  the  State  and  made  it  the  duty  of  the  State  board  of  agriculture, 
thru  its  officers  and  those  of  the  State  agricultural  college,  to  organize  and  conduct 
these  institutes. c 

CONNECTICUT. 

The  late  Doctor  Bushnell,  of  Hartford,  in  an  address  before  the  Hartford  County 
Agricultural  Society  about  fifty  years  ago,  speaking  of  the  deserted  and  feeble  churches 
in  the  country  districts  said:  "It  would  seem  to  me  that  as  a  remedy,  rather  than 
sitting  in  conferences  to  discuss  the  question,  we  should  form  farmers'  clubs  to  revive 
the  agricultural  life  in  these  communities." 


a  Experiment  Station  Record,  vol.  7  (1896),  p.  638. 

b  U.  S.  Dept,  Agr.,  Office  of  Experiment  Stations  Bui.  79,  p.  10. 

c  U.  S.  Dept.  Agr.,  Office  of  Experiment  Stations  Bui.  135  (Revised),  p.  10. 


2.*) 

County  and  Local  agricultural  Bocietiee  were  formed  in  Connecticut  early  In  the  last 
century.  The  desire  for  additional  knowledge  which  these  encouraged  led  to  the  estab- 
lishment of  the  State  agricultural  society  in  1852  and  to  the  organization  of  the  State 
board  of  agriculture  in  1866.  The  first  secretary  of  the  old  State  agricultural  Bociety, 
Henry  A.  Dyer,  who  was  secretary  until  his  death  in  L859,  and  later  T.  S.  Gold,  who 
was  associated  with  Mr.  Dyer,  afterwards  was  secretary  for  thirty-nine  years,  did  much 
to  encourage  a  desire  for  more  knowledge  in  agriculture,  and  laid  the  foundation  of  the 
modern  fanners'  institute  system  as  it  is  in  operation  in  Connecticut  to-day. 

The  State  hoard,  among  its  other  duties,  held  each  year  a  three-day  meeting  for 
lectures  and  discussions  and  numerous  one-day  meetings  whenever  and  wherever 
circumstances  demanded  it. 

The  three-day  meetings  usually  had  one  central  topic  about  which  minor  ones  clus- 
tered, but  of  kindred  character,  such  as  dairying,  fruit  culture,  good  roads,  etc.  A 
gentleman  who  was  somewhat  skeptical  as  to  the  value  of  the  three-day  meetings,  after 
visiting  a  meeting  of  this  character,  exprest  himself  as  satisfied,  since  what  he  had 
seen  had  convinced  him  "that  it  took  about  three  days  for  the  farmers  to  get  red-hot  in 
discussing  any  question." 

The  single-day  meetings  were  held  to  carry  a  subject  to  the  rural  districts  for  the 
information  of  all  classes,  some  of  whom  might  not  come  to  the  large  meeting,  and  yet 
would  be  glad  of  the  opportunity  to  spend  a  day  or  an  evening  at  a  meeting  near  their 
homes,  particularly  when  some  new  or  striking  improvement  in  agriculture  was  before 
the  people  for  discussion. 

The  history  of  the  farmers'  institute  movement  in  Connecticut  would  be  incomplete 
if  a  notable  meeting  held  at  New  Haven  in  1869,  under  the  auspices  of  Yale  Univer- 
sity, were  omitted.  This  meeting  marked  an  era  in  agricultural  education.  Dr.  John 
A.  Porter,  professor  of  organic  chemistry  in  the  Sheffield  Scientific  School  at  Yale, 
with  other  members  of  the  faculty,  planned  for  a  four-weeks'  conventional  New  Haven 
for  lectures  and  discussions  on  matters  pertaining  to  agriculture.  This  was  under  the 
patronage  of  the  Sheffield  Scientific  School,  then  in  its  infancy. 

Three  sessions  were  held  daily  for  four  weeks,  beginning  February  1.  and  three  to 
five  lectures  were  delivered  each  day.  The  subjects  were  classified  under  four  heads, 
and  a  week  was  given  to  the  consideration  of  each.  The  first  week  was  given  to  agri- 
cultural chemistry,  the  second  to  pomology,  the  third  to  agriculture  proper,  and  the 
fourth  to  domestic  animals.  There  were  26  speakers  on  the  program,  most  of  whom 
gave  two  or  more  lectures.  The  lecturers  were  drawn  from  Yale  University  and 
from  all  over  the  Union — practical  and  scientific  men.  Among  the  young  men  were 
Professors  S.  W.  Johnson.  W.  H.  Brewer,  Benjamin  Silliman,  jr..  and  T.  S.  Gold. 
The  great  strength  of  the  meeting  was  in  the  presence  of  a  number  of  successful,  prac- 
tical men  of  national  reputation,  such  as  Marshall  P.  Wilder,  of  Boston;  John  Stanton 
Gould,  of  Hudson.  X.  Y. :  Cassius  M.  (lay.  of  Kentucky,  and  others  of  equal  celebrity 
and  reputation. 

The  Xew  York  Tribune  sent  its  representative,  Mr.  Henry  S.  Olcott,  and  published 
a  daily  report.  The  notes  were  collected  and  printed  in  a  small  volume  entitled 
'Outlines  of  the  First  Course  of  Yale  Agricultural  Lectures.'"  In  this  report  occurs 
this  comment  on  the  lecture  on  Sheep  Husbandry. 

A  certain  shepherd  lecturer  at  a  farm  school  in  Saxony  illustrates  his  lectures  on 
breeding  by  presenting  before  his  class  sheep  of  various  breeds  and  diverse  qualities. 
So  far  as  my  information  extends  it  has  never  been  attempted  in  this  country  before 
to-day.  when  T.  S.  Gold  placed  on  the  stage  a  Cotswold,  a  Merino,  and  a  Southdown. 
*  *  *  It  is  a  new  and  a  most  capital  idea,  and  hereafter  he  who  will  lecture  on 
sheep  without  the  living  illustrations  ready  for  reference  will  be  behind  the  age. 

The  success  of  this  course  both  in  speakers  and  attendance  was  such  as  to  warrant 
permanence  in  an  annual  form,  but  the  breaking  out  of  the  civil  war  and  the  early 
death  of  Professor  Porter  prevented  even  a  single  repetition. 


24 

As  before  stated,  the  Stan-  board  of  agriculture  holds  many  single-day  institute*, 
and  various  associations  or  societies  Bupplemenl  this  service  by  institutes  or  field- 
day  meetings,  as  the  Hairy  Association,  the  Pomological  Society,  the  Forestry 
ciation,  the  Grange,  and  other  associations  each  in  their  own  interest,  working  jointly 
or  separately,  but  in  harmony  for  the  general  good. 

The  methods  uaed  by  these  different  organizations  in  carrying  on  their  work  of  dis- 
seminating information  arc  entirely  in  their  own  discretion.  Each  lias  an  institute 
committee  appointed  to  have  charge  of  the  institute  work.  The  hoard  of  agriculture 
requires  that  localities  applying  for  institutes  shall  furnish  a  suitable  hall,  provide 
local  transportation  for  speakers  and  visitors,  music,  if  desired,  and  entertain  by 
collation  or  otherwise  unless  there  are  convenient  hotel  accommodations.  The  board 
pays  for  printing,  traveling  expenses,  and  services  of  speakers. 

The  colleges  and  experiment  stations  furnish  speakers,  men  who  join  science  and 
practise  to  meet  men  whose  practise  tests  the  theories  of  science. 

There  are  no  specific  local  organizations  for  conducting  institutes,  but  the  superin- 
tendents depend  upon  the  local  granges  and  farm  clubs  for  cooperation.  There  is 
no  special  law  making  appropriation  to  farmers'  institutes,  the  expenses  being  met  out 
of  the  general  appropriation  made  to  the  State  hoard,  the  Dairy  Association,  and  the 
Pomological  Society 

DELAWARE. 

The  first  farmers"  institute  in  Delaware  was  organized  as  the  •Farmers;  Institute  of 
New  Castle  County"  at  a  meeting  held  at  Delaware  College.  Newark,  on  February  21. 
1889.  Officers  were  elected,  including  a  president,  vice-president,  secretary,  treas- 
urer, and  an  executive  committee.  A  constitution  and  set  of  by-laws  were  adopted. 
Twenty  members  joined,  paying  the  fee  of  si.  which  was  fixed  as  the  cost  of  annual 
membership.  On  March  11.  the  same  year,  a  second  meeting  was  held  at  the  same  place, 
when  several  addresses  were  made  on  practical  farm  topics,  and  some  phases  of  the 
State  and  county  government  were  discust.  This  meetinc  was  largely  attended, 
farmers  being  present  from  all  parts  of  the  county. 

At  the  time  this  organization  was  formed  a  farmers'  institute  bill  was  pending  in  the 
Delaware  legislature,  then  in  session,  and  was  passed  without  opposition  on  March  29. 
1889.  The  act  provided  for  the  holding  annually  of  at  hast  one  farmers'  institute  in 
each  county  for  the  discussion  "orally  or  by  written  essays  or  papers  of  agricultural 
and  kindred  matters  and  for  the  dissemination  of  agricultural  knowledge  among  the 
farmers  of  this  State.*'  Each  county  institute  organization  consists  of  a  president, 
vice-president,  secretary,  treasurer,  and  an  executive  committee  of  not  less  than  five 
nor  more  than  nine  members.  The  act  appropriated  $600  annually  for  bearing  the 
expenses  of  the  institutes,  which  is  apportioned  $200  to  each  county. 

Under  this  act  institutes  were  organized  in  Kent  and  Sussex  counties  on  May  18. 
1889,  but  for  some  reason  no  meeting  was  called  in  Xew  Castle  County  until  January 
18,  1890,  when  a  meeting  was  held.  The  organization  formed  the  previous  March  was 
disbanded  and  a  new  organization  was  formed  according  to  the  act  of  the  legislature. 
The  institute  of  each  county  was  absolutely  independent  of  those  in  the  other  counties. 
All  three  organizations  at  once  became  very  active  and  useful.  At  first  the  meetings 
usually  consisted  of  a  single  session,  or  rarely  of  two  sessions.  The  subjects  discust 
were  topics  relating  to  practical  farming  and  to  the  management  of  county  and  State 
affair-,  good  roads,  methods  of  taxation,  honesty  on  the  part  of  county  and  State  offi- 
cials, civic  betterment,  and  educational  problems.  Many  of  these  addresses  were  pub- 
lished in  pamphlet  form  and  distributed  to  the  farmers  of  the  State.  For  several  years 
after  the  institutes  were  organized  the  speakers  were  nearly  all  practical  farmers  and 
leading  citizens  of  the  county  in  which  the  institute  was  held,  in  addition  to  the  offi- 
cers, workers,  and  teachers  in  the  agricultural  college  and  experiment  station,  who 
were  called  upon  freely  and  rendered  very  efficient  and  acceptable  service.  From 
time  to  time,  also,  specialists  from  other  States  were  secured. 


25 

These  single-session  institutes  were  c< »ni inne< I  as  the  general  practise  in  all  three 
counties  until  the  winter  of  L894  95,  when  a  Dumber  of  all-day  meetings  were  held  in 

Keni  County  and  were  addresl  by  prominent  institute  workers  from  outside  the 
State,  as  well  as  by  local  speakers.  These  meetings  were  so  successful  that  one-day 
meetings  were  continued,  as  a  rule,  in  Kent  County  until  the  winter  of  L899  L900, 
when  Kent  and  Sussex  count  ies  joined  in  holding  a  series  of  meetings  of  two  days  each. 
These  meetings  were  well  advertised,  interesting  programs  were  arranged,  and  were 
even  more  successful  than  the  one-day  institutes,  and  therefore  two-day  institutes 
have  been  the  rule  since  that  time. 

A  feature  of  the  work  which  proved  of -great  interest  and  value  consisted  of  school- 
house  meetings.  In  the  winter  of  L895  96  Sussex  County  was  almost  entirely  covered 
by'such  meetings,  held  on  successive  nights  in  adjoining  districts.  Kadi  meeting 
helped  to  advertise  those  following,  and,  as  a  rule,  every  farmer  in  the  school  district 
attended  and  often  followed  it  up  by  going  to  his  neighboring  school  district  the  follow- 
ing night.  The  next  winter  Kent  County  was  covered  in  a  similar  manner,  and  some 
of  these  schoolhouse  meetings  have  been  held  in  all  three  counties  since. 

The  effect  of  the  farmers'  institute  movement  in  the  State  has  been  marked.  The 
farmers  have  been  stimulated  to  adopt  better  methods  in  the  practical  operations  of 
the  farm  and  to  make  their  homes  more  comfortable  and  happy.  Public  sentiment 
lias  been  aroused  upon  a  number  of  important  questions,  and  beneficial  legislation  has 
followed. 

In  the  winter  of  1903  the  legislature  authorized  the  State  board  of  agriculture  to 
appoint  a  State  director  of  farmers'  institutes  to  cooperate  with  the  several  county 
organizations  to  assist  in  securing  speakers  and  arranging  and  advertising  the  meetings, 
thus  furnishing  a  means  of  placing  the  system  under  one  head  and  in  this  way  simpli- 
fying and  enlarging  the  work.  The  director  is  paid  out  of  the  funds  of  the  State  board 
of  agriculture,  wdiich  is  equivalent  to  making  a  small  appropriation  to  the  institutes. 

FLORIDA. 

In  September,  1898,  a  resolution  was  passed  by  the  board  of  trustees  of  the  State 
agricultural  college  to  the  effect  that  ''A  farmers'  institute  under  the  direction  of  the 
agricultural  department  of  the  college  be  held  in  each  county  of  the  State,  provided 
the  railroads  furnish  transportation  for  the  speakers  and  the  local  committee  furnish 
entertainment." 

Prior  to  this  date  farmers'  meetings  were  held  in  various  parts  of  Florida  by  those 
interested  in  better  agriculture,  but  nothing  definite  had  been  done  looking  toward 
any  permanent  organization  of  the  work. 

Under  the  resolution  of  the  board  just  referred  to,  a  number  of  successful  meetings 
were  held  in  different  parts  of  the  State,  speakers  being  furnished  by  the  Florida 
Agricultural  College  and  by  the  agricultural  experiment  station. 

In  May,  1901,  the  legislature,  recognizing  the  importance  of  the  work,  granted  an 
appropriation  of  -S3. 000  for  two  years  for  farmers'  institutes.  During  1903-4  the 
expenses  were  met  from  an  appropriation  made  by  the  State  to  the  board  of  trustees 
of  the  Florida  Agricultural  College  in  the  following  terms:  "  For  holding  farmers'  insti- 
tutes, $2,500." 

The  superintendent  of  institutes  is  appointed  by  the  board  of  trustees  of  the  college 
and  given  authority  to  make  all  necessary  arrangements  for  holding  institute  meetings. 
In  1894  15  institutes  were  held,  consisting  of  32  sessions,  and  over  1,600  persons  were 
reported  as  being  in  attendance. 

Institute  meetings  are  held  only  upon  request  of  the  locality  desiring  the  institute. 
A  local  chairman  for  each  institute  is  appointed  by  the  State  superintencfent  of  insti- 
tutes, who  looks  after  the  advertising  and  the  securing  of  a  suitable  place  for  holding 
the  meeting. 


26 

GEORGIA. 

The  farmers'  institute  movement  in  Georgia  began  in  1899,  at  which  time  the  Atlanta 
Semi-Weekly  Journal  made  an  appropriation  of  $750  to  hold  a  scries  of  farmers'  insti- 
tutes under  the  management  of  the  agricultural  editor  of  that  paper.  Fifty  institutes 
wcic  held  thai  year.  This  appropriation,  however,  was  not  continued,  and  the  work 
was  suspended  until  L903,  when  it  was  taken  up  by  the  University  of  Georgia.  In  that 
year  ihe  trustees  of  the  State  university  made  an  appropriation  of  $1,000  for  farmers' 
institute  purposes.  A  State  director  was  appointed  and  instructed  to  hold  one  farm- 
ers' institute  meeting  in  each  senatorial  district  in  the  State.  Harvie  Jordan,  of  Mon- 
ticello,  was  selected  for  this  position.  During  that  year  he  held  44  institutes,  having 
an  attendance  of  8,250  farmers.  The  expenses  of  the  lecturers,  office  expenses,  and 
publication  of  bulletins  of  information  were  all  provided  for  and  paid  out  of  the  $1,000 
appropriated. 

In  1904  the  general  assembly  of  Georgia  made  a  direct  appropriation  for  farmers' 
institutes  amounting  to  $2,500.  The  trustees  of  the  State  University  continued  the 
appropriation  of  $1,000,  making  available  for  institute  purposes  for  that  year  $3,500. 

The  institutes  are  held,  one  in  each  senatorial  district,  under  the  rotation  system  of 
changing  to  different  counties  in  each  district  each  year.  The  total  attendance  for 
1904  was  about  22,000,  and  from  4  to  6  lecturers  were  present  at  each  institute. 
A  women's  session  presided  over  by  a  lady  lecturer  has  been  made  a  part  of  every 
institute  and  is  proving  a  popular  movement,  attracting  the  wives  and  daughters  of 
farmers  to  these  agricultural  meetings. 

The  institute  work  has  been  placed  by  the  board  of  regents  under  a  board  of  con- 
trol consisting  of  the  chancellor  of  the  State  university,  president  of  the  State  college 
of  agriculture,  and  the  director  of  farmers'  institutes. 

The  dates,  places,  and  programs  for  the  institutes  are  arranged  by  the  State  director, 
and  the  meetings  are  usually  advertised  at  least  two  weeks  in  advance  by  means  of 
the  county  press.  In  1904  14  lecturers  were  upon  the  State  force,  8  of  whom  were  rep- 
resentatives of  the  faculty  of  the  agricultural  college  and  of  the  experiment  station 
staff. 

HAWAII. 

Societies  for  the  promotion  of  agriculture  have  been  in  existence  in  Hawaii  for 
almost  half  a  century.  An  effort  was  made  in  1898  to  form  an  organization  on  the  plan 
of  the  farmers'  institute,  bui  for  lack  of  public  interest  the  movement  failed.  Each 
year  thereafter  up  until  1902  similar  efforts  were  made  with  like  results.  On  the  25th 
of  January,  1902,  thru  the  efforts  of  the  local  Federal  agricultural  experiment  station, 
a  meeting  was  held  at  Oahu  for  the  purpose  of  organizing  a  permanent  society  to 
encourage  and  help  diversify  agriculture  in  the  Territory  and  for  the  founding  of  per- 
manent homes  thruout  the  country.  It  was  further  the  purpose  of  the  organization  to 
have  the  society  become  the  head  of  a  movement  in  the  Territory  to  give  aid  to  all  the 
farming  districts  of  the  islands  in  every  possible  way  and  to  encourage  the  promotion 
of  local  organizations  for  the  study  of  local  conditions  and  problems. 

An  organization  was  effected  and  the  following  offices  were  created  and  filled  by  the 
following  persons:  President,  Jared  G.  Smith;  vice-president,  T.  F.  Sedgwick,  and 
secretary-treasurer,  D.  L.  Van  Dine. 

The  president  was  empowered  to  appoint  all  committees  necessary  to  further  the 
work  of  the  institute,  to  act  in  the  organization  and  work  of  branch  or  local  institutes, 
to  make  arrangements  for  the  regular  meetings  of  the  institute,  to  appoint  committees 
on  the  nomination  of  officers,  to  have  charge  of  the  work  of  getting  up  the  programs 
of  the  meetings,  and  to  be  a  member,  ex  officio,  of  all  such  committees.  The  regular 
meeting  was  to  be  called  once  in  three  months,  the  date  and  place  of  meeting  to  be 
decided  by  the  president.     It  was  further  decided  that  at  all  such  meetings  a  paper 


27 

should  be  read  on  subjects  dealing  with  matters  of  importance  to  the  development  <»f 
agriculture  in  Hawaii  by  men  thoroly  competent  by  experience  and  training  to 
present  Buch  information,  and  that  such  papers  should  be  followed  by  discussions,  the 
discussions  to  form  an  important  part  of  the  program. 

»  The  farmers'  institute  began  with  a  membership  of  l~>.  At  the  present  time  (1904) 
there  arc  72  active  members  enrolled  and  2  honorary  members  the  governor  of  the 
Territory  and  the  superintendent  of  public  instruction.  Six  regular  meetings  of  the 
institute  were  held  during  the  year  four  on  the  island  of  ( )ahu  and  two  on  the  island 
of  Hawaii.  On  Hawaii  a  branch  organization  was  formed  which  is  to  meet  once  a 
month  during  the  year. 

There  arc  no  salaries  connected  with  the  Bociety.  The  money  has  been  provided  by 
the  officers  of  the  institute  with  the  aid  of  some  of  its  members. 

The  following  extract  from  a  letter  addrest  to  the  president  of  the  farmers'  insti- 
tute by  Sanford  B.  Dole,  governor  of  Hawaii,  under  date  of  January  24,  1902,  shows  the 
interest  that  the  Territorial  government  has  manifested  in  the  organization  of  the  insti- 
tute work.     The  governor  writes: 

It  is  with  great  pleasure  that  1  have  learned  of  your  intention  to  organize  a  farmers' 
institute  upon  a  permanent  basis.  It  is  an  enterprise  which  if  perseveringly  conducted 
can  not  fail  to  be  of  great  benefit  to  the  farming  interests  of  the  Territory.  *  *  *  I 
recognize  the  probability  that  general  farming  here  must  develop  slowly.  Individuals 
here  and  there  will  succeed  because  of  intelligent  and  skillful  cultivation  of  the  soil  and 
a  careful  study  of  the  markets.  Farmers'  institutes  will  promote  such  cultivation 
and  stub  study  of  the  markets  amongst  the  whole  farming  fraternity. 

During  the  year  ended  June  30,  1904,  four  institutes  were  held,  consisting  of  eight 
sessions,  having  an  attendance  of  200.  All  of  the  meetings  were  conducted  by  mem- 
bers of  the  experiment  station  staff.  A  report  of  the  proceedings  was  published  and 
1,000  copies  distributed  among  the  farmers  of  the  Territory.  The  present  director  of 
institutes  is  Jared  G.  Smith,  special  agent  in  charge  of  the  agricultural  experiment 
station,  Honolulu. 

IDAHO. 

Prior  to  1898  very  little  had  been  done  in  conducting  institutes  in  Idaho.  A  few 
meetings  were  held  under  the  supervision  of  Charles  Fox,  director  of  the  experiment 
station.  The  work  was  again  taken  up  in  the  fall  and  winter  of  1898,  and  several 
institutes  were  organized  in  southern  Idaho  and  a  few  in  the  northern  part  of  the 
State.  These  meetings,  the  first  of  which  was  at  Moreland  in  December,  1898,  were 
well  attended,  considering  the  fact  that  they  were  the  first  institutes  ever  held  in  the 
localities  visited.  Local  committees  were  appointed  in  each  of  the  towns  where 
meetings  were  held  and  work  was  fairly  begun.  From  that  date  the  work  has  been 
kept  up  and  has  grown  in  interest  until  in  many  localities  it  is  not  easy  to  secure 
rooms  large  enough  to  accommodate  the  people.  The  number  of  meetings  held 
yearly  has  increased  from  ten  or  fifteen  the  first  year  to  more  than  thirty  during  the 
present  year. 

In  1900  the  legislature  made  a  biennial  appropriation  of  $2,000  for  institute  work, 
and  this  has  been  maintained  at  each  of  the  biennial  sessions  since.  An  effort  was 
made  to  increase  the  amount  at  a  recent  session,  but  failed  on  the  ground  of  economy 
in  State  affairs. 

The  director  of  the  State  experiment  station  is  superintendent  of  institutes  in  the 
State  and  conducts  all  correspondence  regarding  the  meetings.  The  dates  are  arranged 
by  the  superintendent  and  programs  are  made  out  in  cooperation  with  a  local  com- 
mittee, which  is  known  as  the  institute  committee  of  the  locality.  No  county  organi- 
zations have  been  made,  owing  to  the  difficulty  of  communication  and  transportation. 
The  plan  followed  seems  to  work  very  satisfactorily  and  the  interest  is  steadily  increas- 
ing.    It  is  becoming  a  question  of  how  to  meet  the  demands  for  more  meetings  and 


28 

to  secure  a  greater  number  of  Instructors.  The  last  demand  is  partially  solving  itself 
in  that  men  are  developing  a  capacity  for  this  work  in  various  sections  of  the  State 
and  many  will  no  doubt  Boon  be  utile  i<>  render  assistance  on  the  lecture  platform. 

ILLINOIS. 

The  first  farmers'  institute  held  in  Illinois  of  which  record  appears  to  have  been 
made  was  held  under  the  auspices  of  the  Illinois  Industrial  University al  Champaign, 
January  12  to  22,  1869.Q 

In  the  announcement  of  this  meeting  it  was  stated  that  the  course  would  continue 
for  eleven  days,  with  three  sessions  each  day:  that  there  would  be  no  charge  for  admis- 
sion, and  that  each  lecture  would  be  followed  by  a  discussion  in  which  all  were 
expected  to  participate 

The  topics  discust  included:  Agricultural  Facts  and  Theories,  by  J.  M.  Gregory, 
regent  of  the  university;  The  Natural  Sciences  in  Agriculture,  by  Prof.  A.  P.  S. 
Stuart;  The  Soils  of  Illinois,  by  H.  C.  Freeman,  of  the  State  geological  survey:  Man- 
agement of  Soils,  by  Dr.  John  A.  Warder;  Grass,  by  Dr.  L.  D.  Morse,  editor  of  Journal 
of  Agriculture;  Corn,  by  M.  L.  Dunlap.  agricultural  correspondent.  Chicago  Tribune; 
Wheat,  by  W.  C.  Flagg;  Potatoes,  by  Jonathan  Periam,  superintendent  practical 
agriculture;  Root  Crops,  by  Jonathan  Periam;  Agricultural  Bookkeeping,  by  Capt. 
Ed.  Snyder,  instructor  in  bookkeeping;  Orchard  Fruits,  by  Dr.  E.  S.  Hull,  of  Alton; 
Grapes,  by  Hon.  George  Husmann,  of  Herman,  Mo.;  Small  Fruits,  by  Samuel  Edwards. 
Lamoille;  Breeds  of  Cattle,  by  Sanford  Howard,  secretary,  Michigan  State  Board  of 
Agriculture;  Horses,  by  Col.  N.  J.  Coleman,  editor  of  Rural  World;  Swine,  by  Hon. 
Elmer  Baldwin;  Sheep,  by  A.  M.  Garland,  president  of  Sheep  Growers'  Association; 
Agricultural  Botany,  by  Assistant  Professor  Albert  J.  Burrill;  Vegetable  Physiology 
and  Economy,  by  John  H.  Tice,  secretary  of  Missouri  Board  of  Agriculture;  Rural 
Economy  and  Rural  Life,  by  Dr.  J.  M.  Gregory;  Fences  and  Hedges,  by  Dr.  John  A. 
Warder;  and  Timber  Growing,  by  O.  B.  Galusha. 

The  papers  and  discussions  were  published  in  full  in  the  above  named  university 
report. 

Dr.  L.  D.  Morse,  St.  Louis,  editor  of  Journal  of  Agriculture  and  secretary  of  the 
Missouri  Agricultural  Society,  published  most  of  these  papers  in  the  Missouri  Agri- 
cultural Report  for  1868.     He  said  of  this  meeting: 

Thus  was  inaugurated  a  new  and  probably  important  movement  in  western  agri- 
cultural education  and  improvement.  Regarding  it  as  an  experiment,  it  may  safely 
be  recorded  as  resulting  successfully.  The  lectures  and  discussions  wTere  attended  by 
the  students  of  the  university,  seventy  or  more  in  number,  quite  largely  attended  by 
the  citizens  of  Champaign  and  vicinity,  and  there  was  a  goodly  number  from  various 
parts  of  the  State.  The  lectures  were,  most  of  them,  of  an  eminently  practical  char- 
acter and  the  discussions  lively  and  interesting. 

It  is  very  significant  that  the  early  promoters  of  industrial  education,  the  advocates 
of  the  agricultural  college,  should  also  have  been  the  prime  movers  in  developing  the 
farmers'  institute  idea. 

In  1870  three  farmers'  institutes  were  held  under  the  auspices  of  the  industrial  uni- 
versity. In  1871  four  institutes,  in  1872  five  institutes,  and  in  1873  eight  institutes, 
which  appears  to  have  been  the  supreme  and  last  effort  of  the  industrial  university  to 
hold  farmers'  institutes  at  other  places  than  at  the  university. 

The  expenditures  for  these  institutes  had  been  limited  to  about  S500  per  annum. 
No  mention  of  institutes  was  made  in  the  university  report  for  1874.  In  1875  the 
following  resolution  was  adopted  by  the  board  of  institutes: 

Resolved,  That  the  corresponding  secretary  be  authorized  to  arrange  for  farmers' 
institutes  without  expense  to  the  university  and  to  call  upon  professors  of  the  uni- 
versity for  such  services  as  lecturers  as  they  may  be  able  to  render  without  detriment 

a  Ann.  Rpt.  111.  Indus.  Univ.,  1868-69,  p.  120. 


29 

to  their  work  with  their  classes:  Provided,  That  the  traveling  expenses  of  such  pro- 
fessors and  Lecturers  shall  be  paid  by  the  Localities  benefited  by  such  institutes  or 
without  charge  to  the  university  .a 

In  this  early  effoii  to  conduct  farmers'  institutes  and  build  up  an  agricultural  col- 
lege the  fanners  and  the  university  people  mutually  failed  to  understand  each  other's 

conditions  and  needs,  and  the  effort  was  short-Uved  and  a  comparative  failure  The 
university  authorities  directed  their  enthusiasm  energy,  and  money  to  other  educa- 
tional lines  to  the  neglect  of  agriculture,  and  the  farmers'  instil  ntes,  so  far  ae  the  uni- 
versity was  concerned,  were  tlu-o\vn  upon  their  own  resources.  The  institute  idea, 
however,  survived,  being  kept  alive  by  the  annual  meetings  of  the  Illinois  Horticul- 
tural Society,  Dairymen's  Association,  Wool  Growers'  Association.  Swine  Breeders' 
Association,  and  the  Tile-makers'  Association,  all  of  them  strong  organizations,  well 
equipped  with  practical,  experienced  men  and  competent  instructors  in  their  several 
special  lines  of  industry. 

The  decade  of  1870  to  1880  was  one  of  meat  activity  in  organizations  of  farmers,  the 
common  purpose  being  redress  from  the  extortions  of  railroads  and  regulation  of  freight 
rates.  Granges  and  farmers'  clubs  and  associations.  State,  county,  and  local,  were  in 
evidence  everywhere. 

About  1880  the  Illinois  State  Board  of  Agriculture  began,  officially,  to  recognize  the 
value  of  the  farmers'  institutes,  and  took  up  the  work  where  the  industrial  university 
abandoned  it.  by  cooperating  with  local  organizations  in  the  arrangement  of  programs 
and  in  the  payment  of  the  expenses  of  speakers.  The  attitude  of  the  board  of  agri- 
culture toward  farmers'  institutes  is  expressed  in  an  address  by  J.  R.  Scott  to  the 
board  January  3,  1882. 

In  the  course  of  his  address  President  Scott,  in  speaking  of  the  farmers'  institutes 
and  their  value  in  improving  the  condition  of  the  farmers  of  the  State,  said:  "It  is  rec- 
ommended that  the  board  provide  for  the  holding,  during  the  present  year,  at  least  one 
institute  meeting  in  each  Congressional  district  of  the  State.  It  is  further  recom- 
mended that  a  reasonable  appropriation  be  made  by  the  board  for  the  holding  of  insti- 
tute meetings." l) 

The  board  of  agriculture  approved  the  president's  recommendations  in  regard  to 
farmers'  institutes  and  advised  the  holding  of  at  least  one  farmers'  institute  in  each 
Congressional  district  during  the  year  1882. 

Two  institutes  were  held  in  1882  under  the  direction  of  the  State  board  of  agriculture. 
Several  of  the  papers  read  at  these  institutes  were  published  in  Transactions,  Depart- 
ment of  Agriculture  of  Illinois,  vol.  20. 

The  number  of  institutes  held  under  the  auspices  of  the  board  of  agriculture  and  by 
private  enterprise  in  the  several  counties  increased  from  year  to  year,  but  no  record 
of  the  number  of  these  institutes  seems  to  have  been  made  till  the  publication  of  Trans- 
actions, Department  of  Agriculture  of  Illinois,  vol.  25,  wherein  it  is  stated,  giving  place 
and  date  of  meeting,  that  !)  Congressional  district  and  33  county  farmers'  institutes 
were  held  in  1887. 

The  first  appropriation  for  farmers'  institutes  by  the  State  of  Illinois  was  made  in  1889, 
$100  for  each  Congressional  district,  to  be  expended  under  the  direction  of  the  State 
board  of  agriculture. 

In  1891  an  appropriation  of  |50  was  made  to  each  county  farmers'  institute  and  the 
management  of  such  institute  placed  entirely  in  charge  of  the  county  organization. 
which  reported  to  and  drew  the  fund  thru  the  State  auditor.  This  plan  and  appropria- 
tion of  $50  to  each  county  was  continued  till  1897;  the  number  of  counties  holding 
institutes  and  drawing  in  whole  or  in  part  the  $50  ranged  from  35  to  64  in  number  each 
year. 

In  1895  the  Illinois  Farmers'  Institute  was  created,  providing  for  a  State  round-up 
institute  meeting,  a  director  for  each  Congressional  district,  officers  of  the  board,  and 

a  Rpt.  111.  Indus.  Univ.,  Vol.  VIII,  p.  101. 

b  Trans.  Dept.  Ag.  111.,  1881,  vol.  19,  p.  223.     Farmers'  Institutes. 


30 

the  publication  of  10,000  annual  reports.  No  appropriation  was  made  for  this  State 
organization.  Two  State  Institutes,  however,  were  held  and  annual  reports  of  the 
same  published  in  L 896  and  L897.o 

In  L897  an  appropriation  of  $7,000  per  annum  was  mud.-  for  the  use  of  the  Illinois 
Fanners*  Institute  and  $50  per  annum  additional  for  each  county  institute,  the  work 
to  be  carried  on  jointly  by  the  State  and  county  organizations  without  destroying  the 
autonomy  of  the  county  institute  6 

These  amounts  were  increased  in  L899  to  $8,000  per  annum  for  the  State  and  $75  per 
annum  to  each  county  institute.' 

In  1901  an  additional  appropriation  of  $2,500  per  annum  was  made  to  the  State  insti- 
tute tor  the  purchase  of  hooks  lor  and  the  maintenance  and  management  of  the  Illinois 
Farmers'  Institute  free  libraries.  These  libraries  consist  of  collections  of  about  45 
volumes,  each  set  being  put  up  in  a  substantial  case,  and  are  for  the  free  use  of  rural 
communities.  The  community  securing  a  library  pays  the  express  charges  to  and 
from  the  central  office  in  Springfield  and  has  the  use  of  a  library  for  six  months. 
These  libraries  have  proved  very  valuable  adjuncts  to  the  institute  work.  Two  hun- 
dred libraries  are  now  in  use  and  more  are  being  equipped. 

In  1901  the  number  of  annual  reports  published  was  increased  from  10.000  to  20.000 
per  annum,  d 

The  general  assembly  of  1903  renewed  the  appropriation  of  $75  per  annum  to  each 
county  institute.  $2,500  per  annum  for  free  libraries,  provided  for  the  salary  of  secre- 
tary of  82.000  per  annum,  and  $7,500  for  general  expenses,  a  total  of  $19,650  per  annum 
for  farmers'  institutes 

During  the  year  ended  June  30.  1904.  105  institute  meetings  were  held:  of  these,  63 
were  two-day  institutes,  with  from  four  to  six  sessions  each,  and  42  were  three-day  insti- 
tutes, with  from  six  to  eight  sessions  each.  The  total  attendance  was  84.681.  an  average 
of  806  for  each  institute.  The  total  cost,  not  including  the  expenses  of  the  State  insti- 
tute, officers,  and  directors,  was  810.673.79.  Average  cost  per  institute.  $101.65.  Of 
the  above  cost.  -ST. 874. 97  was  paid  from  State  funds  and  82.79S.82  by  local  and  county 
contributions.  Total  number  <  >f  days  i >n  which  institutes  were  held.  248.  Total  num- 
ber of  sessions.  609. 

A  characteristic  feature  of  the  work  of  the  farmers'  institute  is  the  cooperation  of  the 
Illinois  Association  of  Domestic  Science,  which  organizes  clubs  and  associations  in  the 
several  counties  and  cooperates  with  the  State  and  county  institutes  in  supplying  num- 
bers on  the  programs  relating  especially  to  home  making  and  home  keeping. 

With  the  inauguration  of  the  State  institute  began  a  campaign  for  the  development 
of  the  Illinois  College  of  Agriculture.  It  was  largely  thru  the  influence  of  the  farmers' 
institute  that  an  appropriation  of  8150.000  was  secured  for  the  college  of  agriculture 
building  and  a  bill  past  requiring  the  trustees  of  the  University  of  Illinois  to  devote 
one-half  of  the  funds  derived  from  the  United  States  appropriations  for  industrial  edu- 
cation to  the  maintenance  of  the  college  of  agriculture. 

After  being  divorced  for  over  twenty-five  years,  the  farmers'  institute  and  the  ( 'ollege 
of  Agriculture  were  again  united  and  began  anew  the  development  of  an  educational 
system  on  agricultural  lines. 

INDIANA. 

The  earliest  mention  of  farmers'  institutes  in  Indiana  is  found  in  the  annual  report 
of  the  State  board  of  agriculture  for  1881.     This  report  covers  the  latter  part  of  1881  and 

a  Rpt.  Illinois  Farmers'  Inst.,  vols.  I  and  II.  tf  Laws  of  III.  1901,  p.  3. 

6  Laws  of  111..  1897.  p.  18.  «  Laws  of  111..  1903.  pp.  4-39. 

c  Laws  of  111..  1899,  p.  21. 


31 

the  earlier  pari  of  L882.     At  the  January  meeting  of  the  [ndiana  Delegate  and  State 
Hoard  of  Agriculture,  L882,  Allen  Furnas,  of  Hendricks  County,  offered  the  following: 

Resolved,  Thai  ii  is  the  sense  of  this  delegate  body  thai  the  State  board  Bhould  create 
an  agricultural  institute,  to  meel  once  a  year,  to  remain  in  -'  —  ion  from  ten  days  to  a 
fortnight,  for  the  discussion  of  matters  pertaining  to  agriculture  and  kindred  subjects. 

This  resolution  was  referred  to  a  committee  consisting  of  Aaron  Jones,  W.  I'..  Seward, 
of  Bloomington,  and  Mr.  Sutherland,  of  Laporte.     The  committee  reported  on  January 

•}  as  follows: 

We  unanimously  recommend: 

( 1 1  The  holding  of  four  institutes  as  a  trial  in  this  State,  two  to  be  held  this  winter 
and  two  in  the  month  of  December,  this  year. 

(2)  That  the  secretary  of  this  hoard  he  authorized  to  receive  proposals  from  differenl 
localities  in  the  State  for  such  institute  and  have  the  power  to  make  appointments. 

(3)  That  the  town  or  locality  expecting  such  institute  must  pledge  itself  to  defray 
the  expenses  of  such  institute,  including  the  providing  of  a  suitable  hall,  warmed  and 
lighted;  and  further,  that  the  locality  furnish  at  least  one-half  the  papers  on  the  pro- 
gram. 

I  That  the  Suite  hoard  of  agriculture  ask  of  the  trustees  of  Purdue  University  thai 
they  send  at  least  two  of  the  faculty  of  that  institution  to  attend  each  institute  and 
lecture  or  read  papers. 

(5)  That  such  institute  hold  two  days  with  four  <r  five  sessions,  as  circumstances 
may  seem  to  dictate. 

(6)  That  the  secretary  of  this  hoard,  with  a  local  committee  at  the  place  of  holding 
such  institute,  he  empowered  to  make  up  the  program  for  that  special  occasion. 

(7)  We  further  recommend  that  the  legislature  he  memorialized  for  a  special  annual 
appropriation  of  $500  for  the  holding  of  agricultural  institutes  for  the  education  of  the 
farmers  of  our  State. 

In  accordance  with  these  resolutions  two  meetings  were  held  in  the  spring  of  1882, 
the  first  at  Columbus,  Bartholomew  County.  March  8  and  9,  and  the  second  at  Craw- 
fordsville,  Montgomery  County.  March  22  and  23. 

The  hoard  made  an  effort  to  locate  and  hold  the  two  other  institutes,  but  failed  owing 
to  tlie  excitement  occasioned  by  the  political  campaign  of  that  year. 

At  the  annual  meeting  of  the  State  hoard  of  agriculture  in  January.  1883,  the  presi- 
dent of  the  hoard,  in  his  annual  address,  advised  the  holding  of  farmers'  institutes 
during  the  year  and  the  hoard  of  agriculture  agreed  to  memorialize  the  legislature  for 
an  annual  appropriation  of  si. 000  for  defraying  the  expenses  of  the  institutes.  This 
application  was  not  made  by  the  committee  of  the  board,  as  they  ""feared  that  it  might 
jeopardize  the  appropriation  for  the  interest  on  their  bonds." 

The  next  reference  to  the  institutes  by  the  board  is  in  the  minutes  of  the  meeting  of 
February.  1880.  In  these  minutes  this  statement  is  found  :  '-The  executive  committee 
in  connection  with  the  president  was  directed  to  outline  a  system  for  gathering  crop 
reports  and  forming  farmer-'  institutes  turnout  the  State." 

The  next  reference  is  found  in  the  proceedings  of  the  annual  meeting  of  the  Slate 
board  of  agriculture  January  1.  1887.  The  committee,  to  whom  the  president's 
address  of  that  hoard  had  been  referred,  reported  that  they  were  of  the  opinion  that 
the  legislature  should  appropriate  a  sum  of  money  each  year  to  be  used  by  the  State 
board  for  the  purpose  of  sending  a  competent  person  out  thru  the  State  to  work  up 
what  are  called  farmers'  institutes.  This  was  followed  by  a  general  discussion  which 
terminated  by  passing  the  following  resolution: 

Resolved)  That  all  that  portion  of  the  president's  address  and  the  report  of  the  com- 
mittee to  whom  it  was  referred  on  the  subject  of  farmers'  institutes  be  referred  to  the 
State  board,  with  the  request  that  they  formulate  a  full  set  of  rules  lor  the  organization 
of  such  institutes,  and  that  the  members  of  the  State  beard  shall  take  such  steps  as  they 
may  deem  best  to  secure  an  organization  in  the  counties  and  townships  of  their  several 
districts. 

Messrs.  Seward,  Mitchell,  Simonton.  and  Lockhart  were  appointed  a  committee  to 
formulate  a  system  covering  county  institutes.  This  committee  made  its  report  at  the 
January  meeting  in  1888.     They  stated  that  they  had  corresponded  with  officers  and 


32 

managers  of  farmers'  Institutes  in  the  States  of  Illinois.  Ohio,  and  Wisconsin,  and  after 
considering  the  Institute  work  of  these  States  were  of  the  opinion  that  Indiana  was  in  as 
good  a  shape  to  commence  the  work  of  holding  fanners'  institutes  as  Bomeof  these  State- 
were  when  they  began  their  work,  and  they  advised  the  holding  of  at  least  one  institute 
in  each  county  in  the  State  between  the  date  of  their  report  January.  1888  and 
March  1.  and  advised  that  the  members  of  the  State  hoard  of  agriculture  take  charge  of 
the  work  in  their  several  districts  and  Bee  that  institutes  are  held.  The  recommenda- 
tions of  the  committee  were  adopted  and  the  hoard  was  instructed  "to  provide  for  a 
series  of  fanners'  institutes  to  be  held  during  the  coming  year,  one  such  meeting  to  he 
held  in  each  member's  district." 

At  the  annual  meeting  of  the  State  hoard  in  January,  1889,  R.  M.  Lockhart.  chair- 
man of  a  special  committee  of  three  appointed  for  the  purpose  of  formulating  a  plan  by 
which  the  work  could  he  started  in  different  parts  of  the  State,  reported  that  die  com- 
mittee had  prepared  what  they  conceived  to  ho  the  host  plan  for  immediate  work  and 
had  it  published  in  the  Indiana  Farmer,  advising  that  at  least  one  institute  be  held 
in  each  district  between  January,  the  date  of  the  hoard  meeting,  and  the  first  of  the 
following  April.  He  also  stated  for  the  committee,  "We  are  glad  to  he  able  to  report 
that  a  number  of  very  interesting  institutes  have  been  held  in  the  State." 

In  the  report  of  1888  the  secretary  of  the  State  board,  in  speaking  of  the  farmers' 
institutes  in  Indiana,  stated  that- 
Several  institutes  were  held  in  different  parts  of  the  State  during  1887  which,  from 
reports  submitted  to  the  board  of  agriculture,  were  failures  thruout  as  regards  attend- 
ance. During  the  year  188S  just  closed,  however,  success  has  crowned  the  effort-  of 
workers  in  this  held  and  notably  different  results  have  obtained  in  a  very  large  number 
of  places  where  institutes  have  been  held.  In  many  instances  the  institute  has  been 
maintained  thruout  the  two  days  set  apart  for  holding  these  meetings,  and  large  crowds 
have  come  together  in  response  to  the  call  to  hear  addresses  by  learned  gentlemen 
selected  to  conduct  these  institutes.  *  *  *  Among  the  institutes  held  programs 
were  received  at  the  office  by  the  secretary  of  the  board  of  agriculture  from  Rockville, 
Parke  County:  Peru.  Miami  County:  Princeton.  Gibson  County:  Laporte.  Laporte 
County:  Plainiield,  Hendricks  County:  Franklin.  Johnson  County,  and  Anderson, 
Madison  County. 

The  annual  reports  of  the  State  board  of  agriculture  contain  accounts  of  but  four 
institutes  up  to  this  time — the  meetings  at  Columbus  and  Crawfordsville  in  1882.  and 
at  Franklin  and  Anderson  in  1888.  The  two  first  institutes  were  held  under  the 
direct  control  of  the  State  board  of  agriculture.  The  Johnson  County  institute  and 
the  Madison  County  institute  were  under  the  joint  auspices  of  the  State  board  and 
local  agricultural  associations. 

In  1SS7  a  number  of  district  meetings  were  held  tinder  the  direction  of  R.  M.  Lock- 
hart — one  at  La  Grange  February  14.  another  the  next  day  (Wednesday)  at  Sycamore 
Corners,  on  Thursday  at  Kendallville.  on  Friday  at  Angolia,  and  at  Waterloo  on  Sat- 
urday. The  speakers  at  these  metings  were  Professor  Webster,  of  Purdue  University. 
John  B.  Conner,  editor  of  the  Indiana  Farmer,  and  Judge  Robert  W.  McBride. 

Mr.  Lockhart  reports  that  during  1SS7  he  aided  in  organizing  the  institutes  in  twenty- 
two  ((.unties.  In  addition  to  these  there  were  eleven  others  held  at  the  following 
points:  Goshen,  South  Bend.  Laporte.  Warsaw.  Columbia  City.  Fort  Wayne.  Peru, 
Kokomo,  Anderson.  Muncie,  and  Richmond. 

These  early  institutes  were  less  like  schools  than  farmers'  institutes  of  the  present 
day.  Altho  held  in  an  irregular,  somewhat  spasmodic  and  very  incomplete  way.  they 
doubtless  did  much  to  interest  the  people  of  the  State  in  practical  discussions  on  topics 
of  everyday  interest  to  farmers.  With  no  public  funds  to  draw  upon,  with  no  author- 
ized and  centralized  control  of  the  work,  and  dependent  almost  wholly  upon  local 
initiative,  only  a  few  favored  localities  could  be  expected  to  take  an  interest,  and  con- 
sequently receive  the  benefits  of  the  work.  The  seed,  however,  was  being  sown  in 
fruitful  soil,  as  the  later  developments  vi  the  institutes  revealed. 


33 

In  consequence  of  the  work  thai  bad  been  begun  in  L882  the  general  assembly  of 
1889  past  an  act  which  had  been  presented  by  Hon.  \V.  \Y.  Robins,  representative 
from  Miami,  known  as  house  bill  No.  430,  organizing  tie-   farmers'  institute  under 

State  control  and  appropriating  $5,000  per  year  for  institute  support.     The  Mil  was 
approved  by  the  governor  Ma.ch  9,  1889. « 

In  the  autumn  of  that  same  year,  INS!),  the  farmers'  institute  work  was  begun  under 
State  control.  In  order  to  comply  with  the  institute  aet  which  required  the  holding 
of  an  institute  annually  in  each  county  of  the  State,  an  effort  was  made  to  lt*  t  the  work 
organized  in  all  of  the  counties  the  first  year.  This  was  found  to  ho  impossible,  owing 
to  lack  of  information  and  indifference  on  the  part  of  the  people  in  many  localities. 
Institutes,  however,  were  held  in  50  counties  the  first  season,  1889-90;  in  41  of  the 
remaining  42  counties  the  second  season;  in  the  third  season,  1891-92,  institutes  were 
held  in  90  counties,  and  in  the  fourth  year  in  89.  Beginning  with  the  fifth  season, 
1893-94,  and  continuing  since,  at  least  one  institute  has  been  held  annually  in  each 
of  the  92  counties  of  the  State.  At  first  the  institutes  were  held  almost  exclusively 
at  the  county  seats,  altho  in  a  few  counties  the  plan  has  been  from  the  first  to  hold 
the  meetings  successively  at  different  points. 

Beginning  with  1898  a  conference  of  institute  officers  and  workers  has  been  held  in 
October  of  each  year.  In  1901  the  general  assembly  increased  the  appropriation  for 
farmers'  institutes  from  §5,000  to  §10,000  per  annum.  In  the  autumn  of  the  same 
year,  1901,  a  women's  conference  was  held  for  the  purpose  of  considering  what  farmers' 
institutes  might  do  for  the  women  of  the  farm. 

Beginning  with  1901  two-day  district  farmers'  institutes  have  been  held  annually 
in  the  month  of  August.  The  increased  appropriation  which  became  available  in 
1901  added  largely  to  the  number  of  institutes  that  were  held,  and  from  that  time 
approximately  half  of  the  meetings  have  been  held  at  outlying  points  near  county 
boundaries. 

For  the  purpose  of  carrying  out  the  provisions  of  the  institute  act  the  board  of  trus- 
tees appointed  a  joint  committee  on  institutes  consisting  of  the  president  of  the  univer- 
sity, the  director  of  the  State  experiment  station,  and  the  professor  of  agriculture  of 
the  university.  This  committee  has  direct  charge  of  the  institute  work.  The  last- 
mentioned  officer  is  the  superintendent  of  institutes,  and  formulates  plans  for  the 
approval  of  the  committee  and  has  immediate  supervision  of  the  work. 

When  the  work  was  first  organized  under  State  control  the  members  of  the  State 
board  of  agriculture  were  invited  to  take  charge  of  the  institute  arrangements  in  their 
respective  districts.  Those  who  were  willing  to  act  were  appointed  to  assist  the  general 
management  in  holding  meetings  in  the  several  counties  in  their  respective  districts. 
Altho  several  members  of  the  board  of  agriculture  cooperated  acceptably  and 
effectively  it  was  soon  found  desirable  to  appoint  a  suitable  person  within  each  county 
to  take  the  local  supervision  of  the  work  in  charge.  It  became  apparent  that  some 
form  of  local  organization  within  each  county  was  necessary  to  give  standing  and  per- 
manence to  the  work.  Accordingly  granges,  agricultural  societies,  farmers'  clubs, 
etc.,  were  invited  to  take  local  supervision  of  the  institute.  Further  experience  demon- 
strated the  necessity  for  having  some  form  of  local  organization  for  the  single  purpose 
of  holding  farmers'  institutes.  Each  institute  was  therefore  requested  to  elect  a  chair- 
man, who  might  be  recognized  by  the  general  committee  as  the  one  having  charge  of 
the  work  in  the  county.  A  secretary  was  also  elected  and  a  little  later  a  number  of 
the  counties  elected  or  appointed  vice-presidents  for  the  several  townships. 

These  local  organizations,  varying  in  character  and  not  well  knit  together  and  often 
with  no  written  or  definite  constitution,  nevertheless  answered  the  purpose  very  well 
for  a  number  of  years.     With  the  increased  appropriation  of  1901  and  the  consequent 

a  U.  S.  Dept.  Agr.,  Office  of  Experiment  Stations  Bui.  135  (Revised),  p.  15. 
11797— No.  174—06 3 


34 

management  of  the  work  it  soon  became  apparent  to  the  general  committee  that  a  com- 
pact, uniform,  county  system  of  organization  would  secure  more  effective  local  cooper- 
ation in  carrying  forward  the  work  thruoul  the  State.  A  form  of  constitution  for  the 
government  of  the  local  associations  was  therefore  submitted  to  the  annual  conference  of 

institute  workers,  which  met  in  October.  1903.  With  some  slight  changes  the  pn  ;. 
constitution  was  unanimously  approved  by  the  conference.  It  was  then  sent  out  to  the 
several  counties  for  adoption.  During  the  season  just  dosing,  19Q3-4,  one-half  of  the 
counties  have  adopted  the  constitution  substantially  as  presented.  It  is  believed 
that  within  a  year  or  two  more  when  the  purpose  of  the  proposed  constitution  is  better 
understood  and  its  necessity  becomes  more  apparent  to  the  local  societies  it  will  be 
generally  adopted  as  the  working  plan  for  conducting  farmers'  institutes  thruout  the 
State. 
The  aim  of  the  institute  in  Indiana  is.  largely — 

(1)  To  give  instruction  that  will  be  practically  helpful  to  all  classes  of  farmers  and 
their  wives  in  the  performance  of  the  everyday  work  of  the  farm  and  the  farm  home: 

(2)  To  awaken  a  greater  interest  in  the  promotion  of  agriculture,  betterment  of  the 
farm  home,  improvement  of  the  highway-,  and  advancement  of  the  rural  schools:  and 

(3)  To  heighten  the  attractions  of  farm  life  and  interest  the  young  people  of  the 
country  to  seek  adequate  preparation  for  the  successful  pursuit  of  agriculture. 

The  general  plan  is  to  hold  one  or  more  institutes  in  each  county  of  the  State  during 
the  institute  season.  November  1  to  April  1.  The  county  institute  chairmen  in  the 
spring  of  each  year  advise  the  superintendent  of  institutes  as  to  the  dates  and  places 
desirable  for  meetings  the  subsequent  year  and  the  general  theme  which  they  deem 
proper  to  be  discust.  The  superintendent  then  arranges  the  schedule  of  meetings 
and  assigns  speakers  to  each.  The  meetings  are  thrown  into  groups,  usually  three 
in  each  group,  with  two  days  of  five  sessions  allotted  to  each  meeting.  Two  State 
speakers  attend  each  institute.  The  list  of  speakers  and  the  schedule  of  the  institutes 
are  printed  and  sent  out  to  officers  and  speakers  before  the  opening  of  the  institute 
season. 

Three  classes  of  meetings  are  held:  (1)  Local  institutes  in  the  several  counties, 
usually  two-day  meetings;  (2)  two-day  district  institutes  for  a  group  of  counties:  and 
(3)  a  two  or  three  day  annual  conference  of  institute  officers  and  workers  for  the  entire 
State. 

The  details  of  arrangements  for  the  local  institutes  are  left  largely  to  the  county 
chairmen  and  their  associates.  The  district  institutes  are  arranged  for  by  the  State 
superintendent  in  connection  with  the  local  committee  of  farmers  and  business  men 
at  the  places  where  the  meetings  are  to  be  held.  The  annual  conference  of  institute 
officers  and  speakers  is  arranged  for  by  the  joint  committee  of  institutes. 

Indiana  has  no  institute  conductors.  The  county  institute  chairman  is,  as  a  gen- 
eral rule,  the  presiding  officer  and  is  in  charge  of  the  details  of  opening  and  closing 
the  meetings,  conducting  the  discussions,  preserving  order,  etc. 

Two  official  reports  of  each  meeting  are  required — (1)  from  the  secretary  and  (2) 
from  the  assigned  speakers.  These  reports  contain  such  matter  as  will  inform  the 
superintendent  as  to  the  character  of  the  work  done  and  aid  him  in  planning  for 
future  work  in  the  locality. 

The  securing  of  effective  institute  speakers  is  one  of  the  difficulties  that  Indiana 
has  endeavored  to  solve.  In  doing  this  it  has  been  the  aim  to  discover  and  develop 
practical  workers  from  the  ranks  of  the  everyday  farmers.  The  host  possible  workers 
in  the  State  have  been  developed  by  means  of  the  opportunities  that  have  been  given 
by  the  State  director  to  acquire  experience  in  the  presentation  of  the  particular  sub- 
ject with  which  they  have  had  most  experience.  Specialists,  agricultural  experiment 
station  workers,  and  the  faculty  of  the  school  of  agriculture  are  drawn  upon  to  sup- 
plement the  force  of  practical  workers. 


35 

Two  classes  of  local  institutes  in  the  counties  have  hitherto  been  held— I  I  -  annual 
meetings,  usually  al  the  county  scats,  and  (2)  supplementary  meetings  al  outlying 
points  near  county  boundaries.  By  this  means  meetings  have  been  much  more 
equally  distributed  thruoul  the  State  than  heretofore. 

During  the  coming  season  the  meetings  will  l>e  apportioned  in  the  counties  in  pro- 
portion to  area.  Each  county  having  less  than  200  square  miles  will  be  entitled  to  two 
days  of  institute  work;  each  county  ranging  in  area  from  200  to  350  square  miles  will 
be  apportioned  three  days  of  institute  work;  each  county  having  over  350  and  Less 
than  500  square  miles  will  be  allowed  four  days  of  institute  work,  and  each  county 
having  over  500  square  miles  will  be  granted  five  days  of  institute  work. 

The  following  table  shows  the  number  of  counties  holding  meetings  and  the  total 
number  of  meetings  held  each  year;  also  the  average  and  aggregate  attendance  since 
1894,  prior  to  which  time  no  record  of  attendance  was  kept: 


County  institute  meetings  in  Indiana. 


Number 
counties 
holding 
insti- 
tutes. 

Total 
number 
insti- 
tutes 
held. 

Attendance. 

Year. 

Average. 

Aggregate. 

1889-90. 

50 

50 
41 
102 
95 
95 
97 
103 
104 
108 
102 
104 
104 
197 
179 
175 

1890-91. 

41 
90 
89 
92 
92 
92 
92 
92 
92 

1891-92. 

1892-93. 

1893-94 

1894-95 

1895-96 

1896-97 

1897-98 

1898-99 

118 
272 
232 
272 
250 
269 
279 
191 
192 
338 

11,446 
28,016 
24, 128 
29,375 
25,500 
27, 976 
29,016 
37,603 
34,226 
59, 189 

1899-00 

92 
92 
92 
92 
92 

1900-01 

1901-02 

1902-03 

1903-04 

Beginning  with  1901,  when  the  increased  appropriation  for  farmers'  institutes 
became  available,  a  few  district  institutes  of  two  days  each  have  been  held  in  the 
late  summer  of  each  year.  The  management  has  three  purposes  in  holding  these 
district  meetings — (1)  to  promote  some  special  line  of  agriculture  in  a  section  of  the 
State  specially  suited  to  its  pursuit;  (2)  to  afford  high-class  instruction  that  would 
prove  helpful  to  the  most  intelligent  and  progressive  men  engaged  in  special  agri- 
cultural pursuits,  and  (3)  to  awaken  a  wider  interest  in  the  subjects  considered  and  to 
stimulate  the  workers  in  attendance  to  more  earnest  effort  in  behalf  of  the  local  insti- 
tutes to  be  held  during  the  winter  months. 

Beginning  with  1898  an  annual  conference  of  institute  officers  and  workers  has  been 
held  at  the  university  in  the  month  of  October.  In  holding  these  annual  conferences 
several  purposes  have  been  kept  steadily  in  view.  The  more  important  of  these  are: 
(1)  To  inform  all  the  workers  more  fully  as  to  the  nature,  scope,  needs,  and  importance 
of  the  institute  work;  (2)  to  consider  carefully  the  lines  of  work  that  should  be  under- 
taken; (3)  to  discover  and  adopt  the  best  methods  of  advertising,  conducting,  and 
reporting  the  institutes;  (4)  to  acquaint  the  workers  with  each  other  and  thus  develop 
and  foster  a  spirit  of  good-fellowship  and  mutual  helpfulness;  (5)  to  give  to  the  workers 
a  higher  and  broader  conception  of  the  dignity  and  importance  of  the  institute  work 
and  to  inspire  them  to  more  diligent  effort  to  accomplish  the  ends  in  view;  (6)  to  enable 
the  workers  to  meet  from  time  to  time  prominent  and  widely  useful  men  in  the  field 
of  agricultural  education  and  thereby  acquire  broader  and  truer  conceptions  of  the 
importance  and  relations  of  the  farmer;  (7)  to  inspire  a  deeper  love  for  agricultural 
pursuits  and  a  more  earnest  desire  for  the  betterment  of  agricultural  conditions,  and 


36 

(8)  i"  arouse  a  deeper  and  more  intelligent  interest  in  the  improvement  of  the  rural 
home,  the  rural  schools,  and  the  rural  highways  as  means  for  agricultural  improve- 
ment and  progress. 

In  August,  1901,  a  women's  conference  was  held  at  the  university.  As  a  result  of 
this  conference  women's  auxiliaries  to  the  farmers'  institutes  have  been  organized 
in  a  number  of  counties.  In  several  of  the  counties  these  auxiliaries  held  inde- 
pendent sessions  for  home  makers  usually  at  the  time  of  the  annual  institutes.  In 
other  cases  these  auxiliaries  took  charge  of  one  or  more  sessions  of  the  regular  institute. 

Exhibits  of  culinary,  dairy,  and  cereal  products  are  becoming  increasingly  common 
features  of  the  farmers'  institutes.  When  properly  conducted  these  exhibits  have 
been  made  educational  in  character  and  added  greatly  to  the  interest. 

At  the  institute  conference  held  in  1904  the  question  of  interesting  and  enlisting 
the  young  folks  of  the  farm  in  the  institute  work  received  earnest  consideration. 
Systematic  measures  are  now  on  foot  in  several  counties  of  the  State  to  awaken  an 
abiding  interest  on  the  part  of  the  young  people  in  the  institute  work.  One  method 
that  has  been  adopted  is  the  awarding  of  prizes  to  young  people  for  exhibits  of  products 
grown  or  made  by  them,  these  exhibits  to  be  made  first  at  the  county  fair  and  later  at 
the  institute  the  following  winter. 

The  support  rendered  to  the  institute  work  by  Purdue  University  is  deserving  of 
special  mention.  The  president  of  the  university  has  served  as  chairman  of  the  joint 
committee  on  institutes  during  the  entire  period  since  the  work  has  been  placed  in 
charge  of  the  institution,  and'  the  director  of  the  experiment  station  has  also  served 
as  a  member  of  the  committee.  The  bills  presented  against  the  institute  fund  by 
county  chairman  and  institute  speakers,  aggregating  several  thousand  dollars  each 
year,  have  been  registered  and  audited  by  the  officers  of  the  university  free  of  charge. 
In  addition  to  this  all  the  members  of  the  agricultural  faculty  and  several  of  the 
general  faculty  of  the  university  have  attended  a  large  number  of  the  institutes  and 
taken  an  active  part,  making  no  charge  whatever  for  their  services,  altho  their 
duties  have  been  materially  increased  by  this  gratuitous  work. 

The  local  expenses  of  the  meetings  are  met  by  an  appropriation  of  §25,  which  is  appor- 
tioned to  each  county  for  this  purpose.  In  addition  to  this,  two  speakers  are  assigned  by 
the  State  whose  expenses  are  met  by  the  general  committee.  About  $1,000  has  been 
annually  expended  upon  the  several  district  institutes  and  in  holding  the  annual  con- 
ference of  institute  officers  and  workers.  The  balance  of  the  institute  fund  is  used  to  pay 
the  salaries  of  the  superintendent  and  clerks,  and  to  defray  the  expenses  of  the  superin- 
tendent's office,  including  postage,  printing,  stationery,  traveling  expenses,  etc. 

Some  of  the  results  of  the  institute  work  are  more  intelligent  and  better  care  of  the  soil; 
greater  attention  to  prevent  the  introduction  of  noxious  weeds;  better  culture  of  crops; 
increased  area  devoted  to  clover  and  leguminous  crops;  improvement  in  seed  corn; 
better  kept  farms;  improvement  in  live  stock;  greater  interest  in  dairying  and  horticul- 
ture; greater  interest  and  pride  in  the  calling  of  the  farmer;  improvement  of  the  rural 
highways;  improvement  of  rural  schools;  improvement  in  home  reading;  higher  appre- 
ciation of  the  natural  advantages  of  Indiana  as  an  agricultural  State;  and  a  greater  rec- 
ognition of  the  necessity  and  value  of  agricultural  education  as  a  means  of  continued 
progress  in  agriculture. 

IOWA. 

In  the  winter  of  1870-71  a  number  of  farmers'  institutes  wrere  held  in  Iowa,  organized 
by  Dr.  A.  S.  Welsh,  the  president  of  the  IowTa  Agricultural  College.  Among  those  who 
were  lecturers  at  these  institutes  were  President  Welsh,  Professors  Jones,  Matthews 
Bessey  and  Berry,  of  the  faculty  of  the  college.  These  were  the  first  farmers'  institutes 
held  in  the  State. 


37 

The  following  report  by  President  Welsh  to  the  board  ol  trustees  of  the  college,  taken 
from  the  College  Annual,  dated  February  I .  L871,  giving  the  work  of  the  institutes  for 
1870,  shows  the  method  that  was  pursued  in  conducting  the  farmers'  Institute  work: 

Many  of  the  trustees  will  remember  thai  last  fall  an  urgent  demand  was  made  outside 

the  institution  fora  winter  session.  Such  a  session,  however,  was  for  reasons  well  known 
to  you  found  to  he  impracticable.     It  is  now  thought  to  promise  better  results  to  the 

fanners,  that  fanners'  institutes,  somewhat  similar  in  method  to  the  teachers'  institutes, 
should  he  held  by  a  few  of  the  older  mem  hers  of  the  faculty  in  different  sections  of  the 
State.  We  propose  that  each  institute  shall  last  live  days,  and  that  its  program  shall 
consist  of  lectures  for  day  and  evening  sessions,  on  stock  breeding  and  management, 
fruit  culture,  farm  accounts,  and  kindred  topics.  The  first  farmers'  institute  is  already 
appointed  in  Cedar  Falls,  to  open  on  the  20th  instant  (December,  1870):  the  second  [g 
to  commence  on  January  3,  at  Council  Bluffs,  in  response  to  an  earnest  invitation  from 
the  farmers  of  that  county:  and  the  third  will  he  held  in  Muscatine,  by  desire  of  its  citi- 
zens; time  not  fixed.  A  fourth  may  he  held  in  Boonesboro  or  Ames.  Now  it  is  desir- 
able that  this  new  experiment  should  he  tried  without  much  expense  to  the  fanners  in 
attendance,  and  if  the  trustees  should  see  fit  to  appropriate  a  moderate  sum  for  traveling 
expenses  it  would,  I  have  no  doubt,  be  wisely  expended.  Professor  Jones,  Professor 
Matthews,  and  myself  will  conduct  the  exercises. 

The  attitude  of  the  board  is  shown  by  the  following  extract  from  the  action  of  a  com- 
mittee to  which  was  referred  the  president's  report: 

In  regard  to  the  farmers'  institutes,  without  hesitation  we  entirely  coincide  with  the 
president's  plans,  and  believe  that  great  good  will  result  therefrom,  and  most  earnestly 
desire  that  a  sufficient  amount  may  be  appropriated  to  defray  the  necessary  expenses 
thereof. 

The  following  prospectus  was  published  by  the  college  in  February,  1871: 

Farmers'  institutes. — At  least  three  farmers'  institutes  will  be  held  in  different  parts 
of  the  State  during  the  winter  vacation. 

First  farmers'  institute  opens  December  19,  1871;  second  farmers'  institute  opens 
January  2,  1872;  and  third  farmers'  institute  opens  January  16,  1872. 

These  institutes  will  open  on  Tuesday  evening  and  continue  to  Friday  evening  of  the 
same  week. 

The  sessions  during  the  day  will  be  occupied  with  lectures  and  discussions  on  stock 
breeding  and  management,  fruits  and  fruit  growing,  farm  architecture,  farm  engineering, 
farm  accounts,  raising  of  crops,  etc. 

Public  addresses  on  subjects  connected  with  agriculture  will  be  given  in  the  evenings. 

A  farmers'  institute  may  be  secured  at  any  locality,  in  the  order  of  application,  by  for- 
warding a  written  request  to  the  president  of  the  college  signed  by  50  farmers  who  desire 
to  attend  all  the  meetings. 

It  is  expected  that  the  current  expenses  of  the  lecturers  will  be  paid  by  those  in  whose 
interest  the  institute  is  held. 

At  the  beginning  of  the  institute  work  in  Iowa,  and  for  a  number  of  years  thereafter,  the 
expenses  were  borne  by  local  contributions.  In  1890-91  the  station  and  agricultural 
college  and  the  State  agricultural  society  appropriated  a  small  sum  to  pay  the  expenses 
of  the  college  professors  and  other  competent  lecturers  at  these  institutes. 

The  Iowa  Improved  Stock  Breeders'  Association,  discerning  the  value  of  the  institute 
system,  took  action  at  an  early  date  to  secure  recognition  and  financial  aid  from  the  State. 
In  1889  that  association  past  the  following  resolution : 

Resolved,  That  we  ask  the  legislature  to  require  all  county  and  district  agricultural 
societies  receiving  money  from  the  State  (for local  fairs)  to  hold  farmers'  institutes  within 
their  territory  every  winter,  and  we  also  ask  a  yearly  appropriation  of  $5,000  for  ex- 
penses of  such  institutes. 

This  association  reiterated  the  demand  for  State  aid  at  its  sessions  in  1890  and  1891. 
At  the  latter  session  the  Hon.  James  Wilson,  serving  as  chairman  of  the  committee  to 
which  the  measure  was  referred,  reported  a  resolution  favoring  legislative  action  and 
named  as  a  committee  to  frame  a  bill  for  submission  to  the  general  assembly  the  follow- 
ing gentlemen:  Senator  B.  R.  Vale,  Henry  Wallace,  and  J.  B.  Furrow,  president  of  the 
State  Farmers'  Alliance.     The  bill  prepared  by  this  committee  followed  closely  the 


38 

system  then  in  operation  in  a  number  of  States,  providing  for  a  central  board  and  super- 
intendent of  Institutes  under  whose  direction  the  money  appropriated  should  be  ex- 
pended. The  legislative  committee,  composed  mainly  of  fanners,  adopted  a  substitute 
bill  which  was  finally  past,  and  which  provided  for  the  holding  of  county  institutes 

and  appropriated  $50  to  each  county  for  this  purpose. 

It  was  stated  that  the  object  cf  BUch  institute  should  be  "'the  dissemination  of 
practical  and  scientific  knowledge  pertaining  to  agriculture  in  all  its  various  branches." 

This  act  was  amended  by  the  general  assembly  in  1902,  increasing  the  appropriation 

for  each  county  institute  to  S75  per  annum,  and  further  providing  that  each  county 
institute  shall  he  entitled  to  representation  at  the  annual  sessions  i  f  tie-  Stat.-  hoard 
(  f  agriculture.  Under  the  operation  <  f  this  law  there  has  been  a  steady  advancement 
in  the  number  <  l  institutes  and  public  interest  in  the  annual  sessions. 

There  is  no  central  organization  or  State  superintendent  of  fanners*  institutes  in 
Iowa.  The  counties  act  independently  in  their  institute  work.  In  the  year  1903-4 
institutes  were  held  in  70  <  1  the  99  counties  i  f  the  State.  The  attendance  for  that 
year  is  estimated  at  about  17.700  and  the  number  of  sessions  at  about  350. 

KANSAS. 

The  farmers'  institute  work  in  Kansas  began  in  1868.  The  honor  of  organizing  the 
lirst  meeting  seems  to  be  divided  between  the  board  of  regents  of  the  State  agricultural 
college  and  the  Union  Agricultural  Society,  which  was  organized  June 6,  1868.  The 
lirst  officers  cf  this  society  were:  President.  J.  S.  Hougham;  vice-president.  Elbridge 
Gale;  secretary.  R.  D.  Parker,  and  treasurer.  William  Wells.  The  directors  were 
C.  B.  Lines,  Wabaunsee  County:  Samuel  Cutter.  Riley  County,  and  Orville  Huntress, 
Clay  County. 

This  society  arranged  in  its  constitution  to  meet  on  the  second  Saturday  of  each 
month,  and  its  object  was  stated  to  be  '"  to  promote,  by  exhibits  and  by  exchange  of 
opinions  and  experiences,  the  pursuits  cf  horticulture,  agriculture,  and  arboriculture.*' 

The  Manhattan  Standard,  in  its  issue  of  October  31,  1868,  referring  to  the  Union 
Agricultural  Society,  printed  the  following  item: 

"Agricultural  institute. — It  is  proposed  to  hold  an  agricultural  institute  in  connection 
with  the  Horticultural  Society  on  Saturday,  the  J 4th  of  November." 

In  its  issue  cf  November  7.  1868.  the  same  paper  contained  the  following  item: 

••Farmers'  institute. — Arrangements  have  been  made  to  hold  a  farmers"  institute  in 
connection  with  the  next  regular  meeting  of  the  Union  Agricultural  Association. 
The  exercises  will  occur  in  the  County  Hall  in  Manhattan.  November  14,  1868."  The 
subjects  to  be  discust  were  announced  as  fallows:  Tree  borers:  culture  of  fruit  trees: 
economy  on  the  farm. 

This  institute  was  held  according  to  announcement,  as  appears  from  a  statement  in 
the  Manhattan  Standard.  December  5.  1868: 

••Farmers'  institutes. — The  Union  Agricultural  Society  met  in  the  County  Hall, 
Manhattan.  November  14.  1868.  at  10  a.  m.,  and  was  called  to  order  by  President 
Hougham.  The  first  business  was  an  address  by  President  Denis.  >n.  <  f  the  agricultural 
college.  His  theme  was  "The  Relation  <  f  the  College  to  the  Agricultural  Interests  of 
the  State."'     This  was  followed  by  discussion.  , 

The  next  was  a  lecture  by  Pr«  fessor  Mudge  on  tree  borers,  followed  by  discussion. 
In  tin'  afternoon  there  was  an  address  by  Rev.  Mr.  Gale  on  fruit-tree  culture,  fol- 
lowed by  a  lecture  on  economy  on  the  farm,  by  Professor  Hougham.  This  appears 
to  have  been  the  lirst  farmers*  institute  held  in  Kansas. 

But  about  the  same  time  that  the  Union  Agricultural  Society  took  action  looking 
to  the  establishing  <  f  farmers*  institutes  in  Kansas  the  board  i  t  regents  i  f  the  State 
agricultural  college,  at  Manhattan,  took  up  the  same  subject.  The  college  records 
show  that  at  a  meeting  of  the  board  of  regents  of  the  college.  June  23.  1868.  at  which 


39 

E.  (laic,  vice-president  of  the  board,  presided,  the  matter  of  farmers'  institute 
suggested  by  Mr.  Gale,  and  al  the  ensuing  session  the  Bubjecl  was  formulated  into  i.\ 
set  i  f  resolutions  presented  by  Charles  Reynolds,  b  member  i  I  the  board.  The  reso- 
lutions, after  r<  ferring  to  the  desirability  i  i'  extending  the  benefits  i  f  the  institution 
to  the  people  i  f  the  State  at  large,  provided  thai  "  the  president  and  pr  fesson  be 
required  to  visit  the  more  populous  settlements  <  f  the  State  and  by  free  converse,  as 
well  as  by  formal  lectures,  make  known  the  character  and  aims  of  the  State  agricultural 
college." 

Before  adjournment  Son.  (i.  W.  (dick,  a  member  of  the  board  of  visitors,  who  had 
been  invited  to  meet  with  the  hoard  <  i*  regents,  presented  the  following  resolution: 

Resolved,  That  a  system  i  f  lecturing  on  agricultural  subjects  at  this  college  and  in 
the  populous  settlements  of  the  several  counties  of  the  State  should  be  continued,  BO 
thai  t  he  benefits  «  f  farming  according  to  correct  agricultural  principles  may  be  dissemi- 
nated throughout  the  State. 

In  compliance  with  this  resolution  a  farmers'  institute  was  appointed  for  November 
20  and  21,  18G8,  to  be  held  at  Wabaunsee,  to  be  addrest  by  President  J.  Denison, 
Professors  Mudge  and  Hougham,  Hon.  C.  B.  Lewis,  and  others.  (Manhattan  Sentinel, 
November  1 1,  1868.) 

This  same  paper,  in  its  issue  of  November  28,  refers  to  the  Wabaunsee  institute  in 
the  following  manner: 

There  was  a  large  attendance  and  the  interest  of  the  farmers  was  manifest.  Several 
topics  <  f  practical  value  were  discussed,  and  altogether  this  second  of  the  series  of  insti- 
tutes in  agriculture  by  the  faculty  <  f  the  agricultural  college  was  a  decided  success. 

An  account  cf  the  institute  held  November  14  appeared  in  the  Kansas  Farmer  for 
December,  1868,  then  edited  by  George  T.  Anthony,  afterwards  governor  cf  the  State. 
In  commenting  upon  the  institute  the  editor  says:  "The  idea  of  agricultural  institutes 
is,  we  believe,  original  with  the  president  and  professors  cf  our  State  agricultural 
college.  The  initial  step  in  this  enterprise  was  taken  Saturday,  November  14,  by  the 
holding  of  an  institute  in  the  court-house  at  Manhattan."  The  same  article,  in  giving 
an  abstract  of  President  Denison's  address,  reports  him  as  stating  that  he  believed  there 
existed  a  demand  for  such  concerted  action  among  the  tillers  cf  the  soil  as  would  be 
afforded  by  the  system  cf  agricultural  institutes  there  and  then  inaugurated. 

A  third  institute  was  held  at  the  agricultural  college  at  Manhattan,  beginning  January 
18,  1869,  and  continuing  thru  the  19th,  20th,  and  21st.  The  announcement  states 
that  •'  a  number  of  persons  will  unite  with  the  faculty  in  giving  lectures."  At  this 
institute  the  following  subjects  were  discust:  Cultivation  cf  land;  fences;  coopera- 
tion in  farming;  gypsum  as  a  fertilizer:  potato  growing;  progress  in  the  world;  wreeds; 
small  fruits;  raising  fruit  trees;  Indian  corn;  raising  hedges  and  forest  trees;  cultivat- 
ing trees;  insects  injurious  to  vegetation;  birds,  their  habits  and  the  benefits  we 
r  iceive  as  well  as  the  injury  that  is  done  by  them  to  crops;  the  dairy. 

The  Kansas  Farmer  for  February, '1869,  under  the  heading  "Agricultural  college 
lectures,"  gave  a  ten-column  account  of  this  institute,  which  concluded  as  follows: 
•'Thus  terminated  in  the  most  successful  manner  an  experimental  effort  to  inaugurate 
and  popularize  a  system  of  agricultural  institutes  under  the  auspices  of  the  State  agri- 
cultural college." 

In  1870  a  three-day  institute  was  held  at  the  college,  beginning  January  17.  A  full 
report  of  this  is  given  in  the  Manhattan  Standard  for  January  22  and  29,  1870.  In  1871 
a  similar  institute  was  held  at  the  college,  which  was  advertised  in  the  Manhattan 
Nationalist  for  January  13,  and  a  full  report  was  published  in  that  paper  in  its  issue  oi 
January  27. 

The  next  institute  was  held  in  1872  at  the  agricultural  college,  with  a  reported  attend- 
ance of  428.  The  Kansas  Farmer  for  February  1, 1872.  in  its  account  of  the  institute, 
states  that  "it  was  originally  intended,  we  believe,  to  hold  these  institutes  under  the 
auspices  of  the  college  faculty  indifferent  parts  of  the  State,  but  this  plan  seems  to  have 


40 

been  abandoned  for  the  one  of  holding  these;  gatherings  animal]  vat  the  college  during 
tlw  winter  term."  The  tilth  annual  Institute  was  held  in  1<S7:,>.  The  attendance  was 
referred  to  by  the  Kansas  Parmer  as  "surprisingly  large."  The  Nationalist  refers  to 
this  as  "the  most  profitable  and  interesting  one  yet  held." 

The  institute  held  in  1874  was  the  last  one  of  this  series  under  the  special  patronage 
of  the  college.  Classes  were  dismissed,  and  students  were  expected  to  attend.  The 
board  of  regents  attended  some  of  the  sessions. 

Institutes,  however,  continued  to  be  held  under  the  auspices  of  the  Bluemont 
Farmers'  Club,  but  were  of  local  character.  This  club  held  institutes  in  nearly,  if  not 
quite,  all  of  the  yeais  up  to  and  as  late  as  1888. 

The  present  system  of  farmers'  institutes  was  begun  by  President  Fairchild  in  1881. 
President  Fairchild  had  been  intimately  associated  with  the  farmers'  institute  work 
in  Michigan  and  thoroly  appreciated  its  value  to  the  farming  population.  The  Indus- 
trialist in  its  issue  of  November  26,  1881,  states  that — 

It  is  proposed  to  organize  a  series  of  annual  institutes  thru  which  the  State  agri- 
cultural college  and  the  farmers  of  the  State  may  work  together  for  the  promotion  of 
agriculture.  The  professors  will,  under  the  direction  of  the  board  of  trustees,  take  part 
in  six  farmers'  institutes  in  as  many  portions  of  the  State  provided  sufficient  encour- 
agement is  given  by  application  from  local  organizations.  The  board  will  endeavor  to 
choose  among  the  applications  in  such  a  way  as  to  accommodate  the  greatest  number 
this  winter,  with  a  view  to  reaching  all  parts  of  the  State  during  a  series  of  years. 
Applications  should  be  senc  to  President  Fairchild  at  as  early  a  date  as  possible. 

President  Fairchild,  in  an  article  published  in  the  Industrialist  March  25,  1882, 
speaking  of  the  system  of  farmers'  institutes,  states  that — 

Since  the  middle  of  January  members  of  the  faculty  have  taken  part  in  six  such 
gatherings,  besides  those  held  annually,  as  heretofore,  in  Manhattan.  In  this  way  we 
have  met  the  prominent  farmers  of  Clay,  Cloud,  Osage,  Barton,  Jackson,  and  Coffey 
counties.  *  *  *  For  the  next  winter  it  is  proposed  to  select  six  more  counties  from 
among  those  which  apply  first  and  can  be  readily  reached  and  to  hold  in  them  better 
institutes  than  the  good  ones  of  the  first  winter — better  because  experience  will  help 
to  better  methods.  The  college  will  furnish,  as  in  the  past  winter,  three  or  more 
speakers  and  pay  their  expenses,  but  will  insist  that  each  institute  make  provision  for 
at  least  half  the  speakers  from  among  those  interested  in  the  immediate  locality. 

Up  to  1890  the  expense  of  farmers'  institutes  was  met  by  appropriations  made  by  the 
board  of  regents  from  the  income  fund.  The  cost  varied  from  $123  to  $490  per  annum. 
In  1899  the  legislature  made  an  appropriation  of  $2,000  for  each  of  the  next  two  fiscal 
years,  and  this  has  been  repeated  by  the  two  legislatures  since  then.  The  first  two 
years  the  amounts  expended  exceeded  the  appropriation,  while  for  the  other  years  a 
balance  has  reverted  to  the  treasury.  These  appropriations  have  greatly  increased  the 
number  of  institutes  assisted.  The  largest  numbers  were  held  in  the  fiscal  years  end- 
ing June  30,  1900,  and  June  30,  1901,  namely,  134  and  156,  respectively.  These  large 
numbers  were  made  possible  by  arranging  class  work  so  that  the  members  of  the  farm 
department  were  entirely  free  from  teaching  duties  during  the  fall  months,  and  speak- 
ing tours  were  arranged  for  them  largely  under  the  patronage  of  creamery  companies. 
In  this  way  more  meetings  were  held,  but  they  were  to  a  greater  extent  of  the  character 
in  which  the  local  population  did  not  contribute  to  the  program  excepting  by  partici- 
pation in  discussions.  In  the  latest  years  the  increase  in  students,  and  consequently 
in  the  number  of  classes  to  be  handled,  has  become  a  greater  burden  upon  the  teaching 
force,  and  this  has  reached  a  point  where  the  farmers'  institute  work  can  not  be 
extended  or  even  maintained  without  additions  to  the  teaching  force.  While  no 
requests  for  institutes  have  been  declined  where  the  people  themselves  were  prepar- 
ing a  program,  efforts  to  extend  the  work  and  encourage  the  organization  of  institutes 
ha  \  e  not  been  made,  or  at  all  events  to  a  very  slight  extent.  If  the  college  and  station 
force  were  of  sufficient  numbers  to  permit  it,  there  is  no  doubt  that  the  institute  work 
might  be  enormously  and  rapidly  extended,  especially  if  it  were  transformed  into  a 
series  of  speaking  tours  in  which  the  people  of  the  localities  visited  participated  only 


41 

as  listeners  or  as  questioners.  There  can  be  no  doubt,  however,  thai  an  institute  to 
do  the  most  good  must  be  one  which  train-  and  develops  the  talent  of  the  people  of  the 
locality,  enabling  them  to  help  each  other.  Bowever  capable  a  Bpeaker  from  t  h« • 
college  may  be,  he  often  Lacks  I  he  knowledge  <>i  local  condil  ions  necessary  to  make  hu 

advice  of  the  highest  value. 

The  numbers  of  institutes  held  from  1881  to  1904  are  as  follows:  L881  82,6;  L882  83, 
5;  1883-84,7;  1884-85.  6;  1885-86,  (i;  L886  87,8;  1887-88,8;  1888  89,  10;  L889  90,8; 
1890-91,  11;  1891-92,  11;  1892-93,  10;  1893-94,  17;  1894-95,  22;  1895-90,  22;  1896  97, 
19;  1897-98,  29;  1898-99,  62;  1899-1900,  134;  1900-1901,  156;  1901-2,  102;  L902  ■',. 
88;  1903-4,  58;  1904-5,  55. 

KENTUCKY. 

The  commissioner  of  agriculture  of  Kentucky  in  L887,  in  his  report  to  the  governor, 
states  "that  farmers'  institutes  are  on  the  increase  in  Kentucky.  These  institutes,  like 
those  organized  by  the  educators  of  our  youth,  are  directly  in  line  of  rapid  and  sub- 
stantial progress." 

Previous  to  1895  the  commissioner  of  agriculture  of  Kentucky  was  appointed  by  the 
governor.  He  was  not  allowed  any  assistance  whatever  in  conducting  his  bureau 
and  only  $2,000  was  appropriated  for  all  of  the  expenses  of  the  department,  except 
salaries  and  the  printing  of  the.  biennial  reports.  The  §2,000  as  well  as  the  salaries  and 
the  cost  of  printing  were  drawn  from  the  general  funds  of  the  State.  As  a  result  far- 
mers' institutes  as  separate  organizations  were  difficult  to  maintain.  The  commis- 
sioner accordingly  was  compelled  to  hold  his  institutes  in  connection  with  the  State 
fair  meetings  or  those  of  other  agricultural  and.  horticultural  organizations.  The  work 
so  far  as  the  department  of  agriculture  was  concerned  was  therefore  necessarily  con- 
ducted under  difficulties  that  limited  its  extent  as  well  as  affected  its  efficiency. 

The  first  commissioner  of  agriculture  chosen  by  the  people  was  elected  in  November, 
1895.  Under  the  new  constitution  the  newly-elected  commissioner  was  allowed  an 
appropriation  of  $13,000  for  the  running  of  the  department,  and  an  assistant  was  fur- 
nished at  a  salary  of  $1,200  a  year.  All  salaries  of  the  department,  however,  and  the 
cost  of  printing  the  biennial  reports,  as  well  as  all  other  expenses  of  the  bureau,  came 
out  of  this  fund.  Mr.  Moore,  who  was  the  first  commissioner  elected  by  the  people, 
was  enabled  from  this  increased  appropriation  to  widen  the  scope  of  the  work  of  the 
department  by  holding  farmers'  institutes.  Institutes  accordingly  were  held  in  sev- 
eral of  the  counties  of  the  State  that  year  and  a  considerable  number  of  farmers'  clubs 
were  organized.  The  work  thus  begun  would  no  doubt  have  proved  very  fruitful,  as 
the  people  were  just  beginning  to  manifest  an  interest  in  it,  but  during  the  latter  part 
of  that  administration  there  occurred  a  political  upheaval  that  practically  destroyed 
all  the  work  of  institute  organization  that  had  been  accomplished.  The  farmers'  clubs 
went  to  pieces  and  the  farmers  of  the  State  generally  lost  interest  in  agricultural 
improvement. 

This  state  of  affairs  continued  up  to  the  beginning  of  the  next  administration,  Sep- 
tember, 1900,  when  Colonel  Nail,  the  new  commissioner,  using  the  remnants  of  the 
clubs  as  a  nucleus,  began  the  work  of  reorganization.  Some  difficulty  was  encountered 
in  securing  the  interest  of  the  people  in  the  movement,  bul  after  a  good  deal  of  effort 
more  than  twenty  clubs  were  organized  and  the  holding  of  institutes  was  begun.  Some 
very  successful  meetings  were  held  in  the  various  counties  and  they  were  attended 
with  good  results.  During  the  session  of  the  legislature  of  1902  the  law  governing  this 
bureau  was  changed,  but,  fortunately,  the  change  did  not  materially  affect  the  institute 
work.  By  this  act  a  labor  inspector,  with  an  assistant,  were  added  to  the  department, 
as  well  as  the  administration  of  the  child-labor  law.  The  salaries  of  these  inspectors 
were  directed  to  be  paid  from  the  annual  appropriation  of  $13,000,  but  to  offset  this  the 
legislature  had  the  cost  of  printing  the  biennial  reports  removed  from  this  appropria- 
tion and  charged  to  the  general  fund,  thus  preserving  the  amount  that  had  annually 
been  appropriated  to  the  farmers'  institute  work  unimpaired. 


42 

The  methods  employed  at  present  in  this  Stale  are  somewhat  different  from  those  of 
many  other  States.  There  is  no  such  thing  as  a  -State  fanners'  institute'*  in  Ken- 
tuck)-.  The  method  of  organization  begins  with  the  county  club,  which  is  organized 
under  rules  laid  down  by  the  department  of  agriculture.  No  club  is  recognized  with 
a  membership  of  Less  than  20,  and  after  its  organizal  ion  the  secretary  is  required  to  file 
a  list  of  all  of  tin-  officers  and  members  of  the  club  with  this  bureau.  A  State  lecturer 
and  organizer  is  constantly  engaged  in  forming  these  clubs.  After  their  organization 
lie  explains  what  is  expected  of  the  club  and  suggests  a  line  of  work  for  it.  The  club 
is  then  in  a  position  to  apply  for  a  date  for  a  farmers'  institute.  It  becomes  the  duty 
of  the  club  t<>  make  out  its  own  local  program,  sample  programs  having  been  furnished 
by  the  bureau  at  Frankfort.  This  is  in  order  to  arouse  local  interest  tliruout  the  com- 
munity and  to  bring  out  and  develop  local  talent.  After  the  local  speakers  have  been 
assigned  the  program  is  forwarded  to  the  State  commissioner  of  agriculture,  who  adds 
such  other  lecturers  as  he  wishes.  The  experiment  station  at  Lexington  aims  to  send 
one  or  more  representatives  to  each  institute,  and  as  their  lectures  are  thoroly  practical 
as  well  as  scientific  they  are  appreciated  by  the  farmers  and  their  questions  and  dis- 
cussion of  the  points  presented  are  always  interesting  and  instructive. 

For  the  first  time  in  the  history  of  the  department  an  effort  will  be  made  the  coming 
year  (1905)  to  hold  meetings  in  series,  using  as  far  as  practicable  the  same  corps  of 
special  lecturers  in  each  series.  The  State  is  much  in  need  of  more  institutes  and  is 
prepared  to  give  greater  attention  to  their  development  than  has  been  done  hereto- 
fore. Many  farmers  are  loth  to  give  up  antiquated  ideas  of  farming  and  hesitate  about 
trying  new  crops  even  when  it  is  clear  that  the  old  crops  do  not  pay.  and  are  slow  to 
take  up  new  and  scientific  methods  notwithstanding  the  fact  that  the  old  methods  have 
proved  failures. 

While  farmers'  institute  work  in  this  State  is  comparatively  new,  the  citizens  are 
gradually  becoming  interested.  One  noticeable  feature  is  the  willingness  on  the  part 
of  the  farmers  to  take  an  active  part  in  the  meetings.  Where  a  few  years  ago  it  was 
difficult  to  secure  local  lecturers  there  now  is  not  a  county  in  the  State  where  a  farmers' 
club  has  been  organized  and  where  the  farmers  have  learned  the  value  of  cooperating 
with  the  department  of  agriculture,  in  which  there  is  experienced  any  difficulty  in 
securing  persons  to  read  papers  or  make  extemporaneous  talks  at  the  institutes. 

LOUISIANA. 

The  first  successful  effort  to  organize  farmers'  institutes  in  Louisiana  was  made 
immediately  after  the  creation  of  the  board  of  institute  managers.  December  10.  1896. 
In  a  report  of  the  bureau  of  agriculture  for  December,  1896,  the  commissioner  states: 

At  a  recent  meeting  of  the  bureau  of  agriculture  and  immigration  it  was  determined 
to  inaugurate  during  the  year  an  active  system  of  farmers'  institutes.  Thomas  D. 
Boyd,  president  of  the  Louisiana  State  University  and  Agricultural  and  Mechanical 
College:  W.  C.  Stubbs,  director  of  the  Louisiana  experiment  stations,  and  J.  G.  Lee. 
commissioner  of  agriculture  and  immigration,  are  named  as  the  board  of  institute 
managers,  the  commissioner  being  named  as  institute  conductor. 

During  the  following  year  (1897)  27  institutes  were  held  thruout  the  parishes  of 
southwest  and  north  Louisiana.  These  institutes,  altho  the  first  ever  held  in  the 
State,  were  well  received,  and  much  interest  was  manifested,  as  is  shown  by  the 
attendance  which  amounted  to  something  over  3.000  that  year.  The  teaching  in 
the  institutes  was  performed  by  a  corps  of  experienced  instructors  drawn  from  the 
University  and  the  Agricultural  and  Mechancial  College,  and  from  the  State  experi- 
ment stations,  assisted  by  seme  of  the  most  successful  farmers.  There  were  also  a 
number  of  lecturers  from  other  States. 

The  meetings  were  strictly  agricultural,  the  papers  and  discussions  being  confined 
as  far  as  possible  to  matters  relating  directly  to  the  interests  of  farming  people.  The 
work  thus  begun  under  most  encouraging  and  favorable  auspices  promised  from  its 


43 

incipiency  t<»  become  an  important  factor  in  bringing  about  a  change  from  t  he  old  one- 
crop  method  that  had  prevailed  to  that  of  diversified  agriculture. 
The  second  year  of  the  farmers'  institutes  was  equally  encouraging.     Twenty-eight 

were  held,  and  every  institute  was  well  attended.  In  many  places  where  the  insti- 
tutes had  planned  for  bul  a  single  day  they  were  continued  for  two  day-  at  the  urgent 
solicitation  of  the  people  of  the  community  in  which  they  were  held.  The  Legisla- 
ture from  the  first  responded  with  considerable  generosity  by  making  an  appropria- 
tion of  $1,500 per  annum  in  Bupport  of  the  work,  and  as  it  developed  in  interest  and 
value  increased  the  amount  to  $2,000  per  annum.  Bulletins  containing  the  pro- 
ceedings of  the  various  institutes  are  annually  published  and  distributed.  These 
publications  have  been  found  to  be  valuable  aids  in  educating  the  farmers  as  well  as 
in  encouraging  them  to  adopt  better  methods  in  cultivation  and  in  increasing  their 
appreciation  of  the  institute  work. 

That  the  institute  is  not  a  passing  fad  or  mere  temporary  excitement  is  evidenced 
not  only  by  the  steady  annual  increase  in  attendance,  and  the  frequent  calls  that  come 
from  all  parts  of  the  State  for  the  appointment  of  more  meetings,  but  also  by  the 
practical  demonstrations  which  the  farmers  themselves  furnish,  exhibited  in  the 
numerous  instances  of  the  successful  growing  of  a  variety  of  crops  thru  systematic 
rotation,  in  the  employment  of  better  methods  of  culture,  and  in  the  planting  and 
growing  of  more  "food"  crops  for  home  use. 

The  outlook  for  the  continued  success  of  the  work  is  very  encouraging.  The  legis- 
lature  at  its  next  session  will  in  all  probability  increase  the  appropriation  for  insti- 
tute purposes  sufficiently  to  enable  the  State  director  to  broaden  and  extend  his 
institutes  so  as  to  carry  meetings  into  all  of  the  parishes  of  the  State.  ' 

MAINE. 

The  first  movement  looking  toward  concerted  action  for  the  improvement  of  agri- 
culture in  Maine  was  in  1787,  but  it  was  not  until  1832  that  the  industry  was  recog- 
nized by  act  of  assembly  framed  specially  to  encourage  farm  life  and  work.  The  act 
referred  to  provided  for  the  payment  of  premiums  to  the  various  agricultural  societies 
"for  the  introducing  or  improvement  of  any  breed  of  cattle  useful  to  the  State  or  any 
tools  or  implements  of  husbandry  or  manufacture,  introducing  or  preserving  any 
valuable  trees,  shrubs,  or  plants,  or  in  any  way  encouraging  or  advancing  any  of  the 
departments  of  agriculture,  horticulture,  or  manufacture." 

The  leaders  of  that  early  period  realized  not  only  that  agriculture  was  an  important 
industry,  but  they  also  were  convinced  that  the  best  way  of  developing  it  was  by 
encouraging  the  individual  farmers,  and  thus  premiums  for  superiority  in  production 
were  awarded  by  the  State.  The  payment  of  the  premiums,  however,  were  condi- 
tioned upon  the  exhibitor  first  delivering  to  the  society  a  statement  in  writing  specify- 
ing in  detail  "the  kind  and  quality  of  dressing  used  upon  the  land,  the  course  pursued 
in  using  same,  the  kind  of  soil  cultivated,  with  such  other  facts  as  may  be  deemed 
useful." 

These  reports  by  exhibitors  were  gathered  and  preserved,  and  many  of  them  were 
published  in  the  columns  of  the  Maine  Fanner,  the  agricultural  and  home  paper  of 
the  State,  founded  in  1833  by  Ezekiel  Holmes,  of  Winthrop,  the  first  secretary  of  the 
board  of  agriculture  and  a  man  of  rare  insight  and  profound  learning,  who  devoted  his 
life  to  arousing  love  for  the  farm  and  a  desire  for  education  in  agriculture. 

Thruout  the  State  these  statements  were  taken  up  by  farmers'  clubs,  then  quite 
common,  and  discust  by  men  trained  to  think  for  themselves  in  the  hard  school  of 
daily  experience.  The  enthusiasm  for  agriculture  then  kindled  has  never  been 
extinguished. 

In  1852,  chiefly  thru  the  influence  of  Doctor  Holmes,  then  a  member  of  the  legisla- 
ture, the  State  board  of  agriculture  was  established,  but  it  was  not  until  1880  that  the 


44 

legislature  made  provision  for  the  holding  of  farmers'  institutes.  The  sum  appro- 
priated, however,  was  so  small.  $1,400  annually,  that  the  work  planned  could  not 
have  been  carried  forward  hut  foT  the  self-sacrificing  labor  and  devotion  of  those  who 
literally  "went  about  doing  good,"  with  no  thoughl  of  recompense.  These  earlier 
lectures  by  the  leaders  constitute  to-day  the  best  agricultural  literature  of  the  State. 
Prior  to  this  date  summer  meetings  for  farmers  had  been  held  and  much  individual 
work  done,  without  compensation,  so  that  when  the  regular  institute  came  the  State 
was  ready  for  the  movement,  and  from  the  beginning  good  audiences  greeted  the 
speakers. 

From  the  first  the  secretary  of  the  State  board  of  agriculture  has  been  the  captain 
in  command,  directing  the  lines  of  work  by  personal  contact  with  the  farmers  of 
the  State.  Both  day  and  evening  sessions  were  planned  for,  and  as  the  State  law 
requires,  at  least  two  institutes  have  been  held  yearly  in  each  of  the  counties  of 
the  State.  These  meetings  have  gradually  grown  to  be  among  the  most  important  of 
any  held  within  our  borders. 

The  annual  reports  of  the  board  of  agriculture  from  1855  to  1902,  and  of  the  depart- 
ment of  agriculture  since  that  date,  5,000  copies  of  which  are  distributed  yearly  among 
the  farmers  of  Maine,  have  given  those  who  have  preserved  the  volumes  an  agricul- 
tural library  of  inestimable  value,  and  also  a  complete  history  of  the  growth  of  the 
industry.  The  papers  and  addresses  which  they  contain  are  by  the  most  able  and 
conscientious  men  of  the  State,  and  for  breadth  of  thought,  clearness  of  expression, 
and  spirit  of  loyalty  to  the  agricultural  interests  are  unsurpassed. 

In  1901  a  complete  change  occurred  in  the  administration  of  the  agricultural  affairs 
of  the  State.  The  legislature  abolished  the  old  board  and  created  a  department  of 
agriculture,  with  a  commissioner  in  charge.  The  new  department  was  given  perma- 
nent quarters  in  the  statehouse,  the  salary  of  the  commissioner  was  increased  from 
$600  annually  to  $1,500,  and  his  entire  time  was  expected  to  be  given  to  the  duties  of 
his  office.  Along  with  this,  the  sum  appropriated  for  farmers'  institutes  was  increased 
to  $3,000  per  year.  For  awhile  instead  of  but  two  institutes  being  held  yearly  in  each 
county,  as  the  law  prescribed,  an  attempt  was  made  to  multiply  the  number  by  hold- 
ing single  sessions  in  adjoining  towns  at  the  same  time  that  the  main  institute  was  in 
progress.  This  was  soon  abandoned.  The  dividing  of  the  lecture  force,  which  this 
new  method  required,  weakened  the  central  meeting  and  did  not  correspondingly  aid 
the  other  localities  visited. 

About  fifty  institutes  are  held  each  year.  The  past  few  years  show  an  annual 
increase  of  over  20  per  cent  in  the  attendance,  and  the  year  1904  just  closed  shows  an 
increase  of  10  per  cent  over  any  previous  year.  The  general  custom  has  been  to  employ 
on  the  lecture  corps  one  speaker  from  out  of  the  State  and  two  practical,  experienced 
men,  of  recognized  ability  and  standing,  in  the  State.  These,  with  the  commissioner, 
constitute  the  teaching  force,  the  commissioner  personally  taking  charge  and  directing 
every  session.  Institutes  are  held  consecutively,  county  after  county  being  visited 
until  the  entire  State  has  been  covered.  The  dates  and  subjects  to  be  discust  are 
fixt  by  the  commissioner,  after  consultation  with  representative  farmers  in  each 
locality. 

During  recent  years  the  Grange  in  Maine  has  been  growing  rapidly,  erecting  commo- 
dious and  attractive  halls  in  every  part  of  the  State,  and  devoting  itself  largely  to  edu- 
cational work  with  special  reference  to  the  improvement  of  rural  life  and  to  the  general 
upbuilding  of  agriculture.  The  result  has  been  that  greater  interest  is  being  mani- 
fested in  the  institutes  than  formerly,  and  the  institute  lecturers  now  find  themselves 
compelled  to  make  more  thoro  preparation  for  their  work  than  was  necessary  in  the 
past,  in  order  that  their  audiences  may  be  satisfied  with  the  teaching  and  the  high 
level  of  the  institutes  be  maintained.  Many  of  the  meetings  are  held  in  Grange  hails. 
These  buildings  are  all  equipped  with  dining  rooms  and  kitchens.  There  are  also 
stables  for  horses,  so  that  man  and  team  are  provided  for  and  made  comfortable.     The 


45 

lecturer,  therefore,  al  one  of  these  Grange  centers  is  butc  to  have  a  comfortable  place 
in  which  to  speak  and  to  have  a  wide-awake  and  intelligent  audience,  prompt  to  dis- 
cuss his  statements  and  ready  to  question. 

The  interest  now  manifested  by  country  people  in  all  lines  of  agricultural  prodw  - 
tion,  as  stock  husbandry,  orcharding,  small-fruit  culture,  etc.,  as  well  as  relating  to 
the  subjects  <•!'  good  roads  and  agricultural  education,  will  require  thai  the  institutes 
be  further  developed  to  meel  the  expanding  needs  of  farmers  in  these  and  other 
respects. 

More  institutes,  better  teaching,  accompanied  by  practical  demonstration  in  stable 
and  field,  is  the  demand  of  the  farmer  for  the  years  to  come. 

MARYLAND. 

The  history  of  the  farmers'  institute  work  in  Maryland  begins  with  an  organization 
( »f  farmers  effected  at  Brooke  Grove,  March  6, 1844,  at  the  residence  of  George  E.  Brooke, 
and  known  as  the  Farmers'  Club  of  Sandy  Spring.  Two  farmers,  Benjamin  Hallo- 
well  and  Richard  T.  Bentley,  both  of  Sandy  Spring,  Montgomery  County,  imprest 
with  the  need  of  periodical  meetings  where  neighboring  farmers  might  exchange  views 
and  report  the  result  of  their  experience  and  observation  in  their  farm  practise,  agreed 
to  invite  the  farmers  of  their  community  to  meet  for  the  purpose  of  forming  an  associ- 
ation which  should  hold  stated  meetings  for  the  discussion  of  agricultural  subjects  and 
operations  in  which  they  were  interested.  The  result  was  the  meeting  referred  to  and 
the  organization  of  the  Farmers'  Club,  with  Henry  Farquhar  as  secretary.  The  mem- 
bership included  the  most  prominent  and  successful  farmers  of  that  community. 

It  is  remarkable  that  from  1844,  the  date  of  its  organization,  to  1905  the  club  has  met 
at  the  regularly  appointed  times,  with  only  six  omissions.  Full  minutes,  showing  the 
transactions  of  each  meeting,  have  been  faithfully  kept  during  this  period  of  over  sixty 
years.  The  following  constitution  and  by-laws  of  this  club  are  unique  in  being  models 
of  brevity  and  comprehensiveness:  ''We  adopt  for  our  government  no  rules  or  regu- 
lations other  than  those  which  should  always  prevail  in  good  society." 

H.  J.  Patterson,  director  of  the  Maryland  Experiment  Station,  in  a  paper  read  before 
the  Vansville  Club  of  Prince  George  County,  quotes  the  text  of  a  bill  by  S.  D.  Coad, 
of  St.  Mary  County,  introduced  in  the  general  assembly  in  1847,  making  provision 
for  a  State  laboratory,  and  which  past  that  body  December  18,  1847.  The  bill,  in 
prescribing  the  duties  of  a  chemist,  provides,  section  5: 

That  it  shall  be  his  further  duty  to  deliver  one  public  lecture  after  having  given 
timely  notice  thereof  in  each  election  district  in  each  county,  and  then  to  deliver  a 
course  of  public  lectures  at  each  county  town  and  at  some  central  place  in  Baltimore 
County,  having  given  also  sufficient  notice  thereof  in  each  election  district;  and  he 
shall  permit  the  clerk  of  the  levy  court,  or  the  commissioners  of  the  tax,  as  the  case 
may  be,  to  take  a  copy  of  such  course  of  lectures  to  be  retained  and  kept  for  the  use 
and  benefit  of  the  county,  and  published  by  said  levy  court  or  commissioners  of  the 
tax.  if  to  them  it  shall  seem  expedient. 

In  January,  1866,  the  Enterprise  Farmers'  Club  and  in  1872  the  Montgomery  Farm- 
ers' Club  were  also  orgainzed  in  this  same  community.  With  the  cooperation  and  sup- 
port of  these  clubs  the  farmers'  convention  of  Sandy  Spring  holds  annually  a  meeting 
at  which  there  are  present  hundreds  of  citizens  from  all  parts  of  the  State.  These  clubs, 
aided  by  the  influence  of  the  annual  convention  referred  to,  have  done  much  for  the 
securing  of  legislation  in  aid  of  the  agricultural  interests  of  the  State. 

It  is  a  disputed  question  as  to  which  particular  club  or  Grange  organization  is 
entitled  to  the  honor  of  first  suggesting  the  formation  of  a  State  department  of  farmers' 
institutes,  but  the  credit  for  having  a  bill  enacted  and  approved  by  the  governor 
unquestionably  belongs  to  the  Vansville  Farmers'  Club  of  Prince  George  County. 
This  act  was  past  March  27,  1896,  and  creates  a  department  of  farmers'  institutes  in 
the  Maryland  Agricultural  College. 


46 

When  the  draft  of  the  law  was  first  discus!  before  the  VansvOle  Hub  thorp  wa?a 
difference  of  opinion  as  to  tin-  form  which  it  should  assume.  Mr.  George  E.  Lowrey 
made  a  strong  plea  for  the  establishing  of  a  department  of  agriculture  for  the  State 
and  committing  the  institute  work  to  it.  This  was  opposed  by  President  Silvester, 
of  the  Maryland  Agricultural  College,  who  maintained  that  the  agricultural  interests 
of  the  State  Bhould  be  vest*  d  in  its  agricultural  college  and  experiment  station. 

The  act  of  legislature  finally  agreed  upon  and  afterwards  enacted  i-  substantially  as 
follows: 

That  one  institute  shall  be  held  each  year  in  each  county  of  the  State  and  an  addi- 
tional one  if  deemed  necessary  and  desirable. 

That  the  institutes  shall  be  under  the  direction  of  a  director  appointed  by  the  trus- 
[  the  Maryland  Agricultural  College.  The  salary  of  the  director  is  to  be  fixt 
and  his  duties  defln<  d  by  the  said  board. 

That  the  institute  shall  be  a  department  of  the  college  and  that  the  salary  of  the 
director  and  the  expense  of  the  institutes  shall  be  paid  out  of  the  annual  appropriation 
of  13,000,  which  the  act  provides. a 

Altho  this  act  was  not  approved  until  March  27.  1896.  there  was  held  ar  Annapolis, 
January  14.  1896,  under  the  auspices  of  the  Vansville  Farmers'  Club,  an  institute  which 
was  the  first  farmers'  institute,  as  that  term  is  now  understood,  held  in  the  State  of  Mary- 
land. Since  that  time  the  work  has  expanded  until  it  now  extends  to  every  county  in 
the  State. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  board  of  trustees  of  the  Maryland  Agricultural  College,  held  June, 
1896.  William  Lee  Amoss.  of  Harford  County.  Md..  who  had  for  nine  years  acted  as  secre- 
tary for  the  Harford  County  Farmers'  Convention,  an  offspring  of  the  Montgomery 
County  Convention,  was  elected  director  of  farmers'  institutes  under  authority  of  the 
act  of  assembly  of  March  27.  1896.  Mr.  Amoss  is  still  direct*  >r  of  farmers'  institutes  for  the 
State. 

Farmers'  institute  work  in  Maryland  has  steadily  grown  in  favor,  altho  at  first  it  was 
regarded  by  some  of  the  counties  as  a  doubtful  acquisition  to  the  existing  system  of  edu- 
cation. At  present  the  opposition  has  been  overcome  and  the  institutes  are  welcomed 
by  the  farmers  as  affording  a  means  of  instruction  that  has  been  found  to  be  of  great  serv- 
ice in  aiding  them  to  a  better  understanding  of  their  art.  The  high  plane  on  which  the 
work  began  has  never  been  lowered,  but  has  been  fully  maintained,  and  the  movement 
has  secured  the  active  cooperation  of  the  leaders  in  agriculture  in  every  county  of  the 
State. 

MASSACHUSETTS. 

In  telling  the  story  of  the  farmers'  institute  movement  in  Massachusetts  justice  would 
not  be  done  to  the  sterling  record  of  that  Commonwealth  in  this  line  of  work  if  the  account 
did  not  go  back  of  the  actual  establishment  of  the  farmers'  institutes,  denominated  as 
such,  and  pay  some  attention  to  the  first  stirrings  of  thought  and  awakening  of  effort 
among  the  farmers  and  agricultural  organizations  of  the  State. 

At  the  first  meeting  of  the  trustees  of  the  Massachusetts  Society  for  Promoting  Agricul- 
ture, the  fourth  agricultural  society  to  be  organized  in  this  country,  held  August  3.  1792. 
a  vote  was  past  recommending  that  members  of  the  society  in  different  parts  of  the 
State  should  meet  from  time  to  time,  inviting  their  neighbors  to  join  them,  for  consulta- 
tion and  discussions  relating  to  agriculture,  with  a  view  to  the  gathering  of  information 
useful  in  the  work  of  the  society.  Presumably  such  meetings  were  held,  altho  the  early 
records,  from  the  nature  of  the  case,  are  meager  in  the  extreme,  and  I  can  find  no  con- 
firmation of  that  opinion.  Certain  it  is  that  here  was  the  germ  of  the  farmers'  institute 
movement  and  there  are  but  few.  if  any.  earlier  recorded  expressions  of  opinion  or  rec- 
ommendations for  action  that  look  toward  meetings  for  agricultural  discussion. 

An  interesting  secondary  phase  in  the  development  of  the  movement  for  agricultural 
instruction  by  lectures  and  discussions  is  that  of  the  lectures  or  addresses  on  agricultural 

a  See  u.  S.  Dept.  Agr.,  Office  of  Experiment  Stations  Bui.  135  (^Revised),  p.  18. 


47 

topics  which  wen-  delivered  before  the  agricultural  societies  al  their  annual  exhibitions. 
The  first  printed  lecture  oi  which  record  has  been  found  was  that  delivered  before  the 
Massachusetts  Society  for  Promoting  Agriculture,  al  the  Brighton  Cattle  show.  October 
13,  1818,  by  J.  Lowell,  which  is  aboul  twenty  pages  in  Length  and  very  agricultural  in 
its  nature.  Many  such  addresses  of  later  date  arc  found  on  record,  and  while  these 
meetings  were  not  called  farmers1  institutes  it  was  perhaps  because  thai  term  had  not  yet 
been  hit  upon  as  a  means  of  designation. 

The  Massachusetts  State  Board  of  Agriculture  was  established  in  April.  L852,  and  a,  it- 
third  meeting,  held  on  September  7  of  that  year,  a  committee  was  appointed  on  the  best 
means  of  promoting  agriculture  in  the  State  by  means  of  public  lectures.  At  a  subse- 
quent meeting,  held  December  1.  L852,  this  committee  submitted  a  report  favoring  the 
culling  of  the  attention  of  the  people  to  the  importance  of  having  lectures  on  agriculture 
form  a  pari  of  the  course  of  all  lyceumsand  similar  associations  in  the  rural  districts  of  the 
Commonwealth.  This  report  was  accepted  and  a  committee  appointed,  which  later, 
thru  the  agricultural  papers,  issued  a  notice  calling  the  attention  of  those  interested  in 
agriculture  to  the  subject. 

At  the  next  meeting  of  the  board.  January  12, 1853,  Doctor  Hitchcock,  of  Amherst  Col- 
lege, having  been  previously  requested  to  present  his  views  on  some  topic  connected 
with  the  improvement  of  agriculture,  read  a  paper  on  "Farmers'  institutes."  In  this 
paper  he  said  that  he  had  attended  teachers'  institutes  and  had  been  imprest  with  the 
influence  which  they  exert  and  suggested  that  we  should  have  farmers'"  institutes  as 
well,  outlining  some  subjects  which  they  might  very  profitably  consider. 

The  matter  seems  to  have  been  dropt  there  foi  the  time,  but  in  1859  a  committee 
was  appointed  to  consider  and  report  upon  the  propriety  of  instituting  meetings  similar  to 
teachers'  institutes. 

In  the  autumn  of  1863  the  first  three-day  meeting  of  the  State  board  of  agriculture  for 
lectures  and  discussions  wras  held,  and  these  meetings  have  been  a  yearly  feature  of  the 
work  of  this  board  down  to  the  present  day.  They  fill  the  place  to  a  certain  degree 
which  is  occupied  in  many  States  by  the  annual  or  "round-up"  institute,  so  called,  but 
have  no  connection  with  the  farmers'  institutes  themselves,  which  are  held  by  the  agri- 
cultural societies  and  the  expenses  of  which  are  paid  from  other  appropriations.  The 
lectures  and  discussions  at  these  meetings  are  printed  in  the  annual  report  of  the  board. 
and  every  effort  is  made  to  have  speakers  of  the  highest  rank  and  authority  on  their 
various  subjects. 

The  next  action  of  the  board  was  at  the  annual  meeting  in  1878,  when  it  wras  voted  that 
societies  receiving  bounty  from  the  Commonwealth  be  requested  to  arrange  one  or  more 
fanners'  institutes  each  year  within  their  limits,  and  that  they  be  informed  that  the 
board  will  render  all  the  assistance  in  their  power  to  make  such  institutes  interesting 
and  instructive. 

The  Hingham  Agricultural  and  Horticultural  Society  had  already  begun  to  hold  such 
meetings,  the  first  being  held  on  November  17,  1858,  the  subject  being  "The  present 
condition  of  agriculture  in  Hingham  and  the  best  means  of  awakening  a  greater  interesl 
in  the  same."  It  would  seem  as  if  such  a  discussion  might  be  of  benefit  in  many  sections 
even  in  thisyear  of  the  twentieth  century. 

On  February  6, 1879.  the  previous  vote  of  the  board  was  amended  so  that  the  societies 
were  "required"  instead  of  "requested"  to  hold  these  institutes,  and  the  number  was 
changed  from  one  to  three  each.  These  early  meetings  were  addrest  by  members  of 
the  board,  whose  traveling  and  necessary  expenses  were  paid  by  the  State,  no  appro- 
priation being  available  for  the  payment  of  institute  workers  until  1888.  It  appears 
from  the  statements  of  the  representatives  of  the  societies  the  following  year  that  every 
society  in  the  State  had  held  at  least  three  institutes,  while  many  had  greatly  exceeded 
the  required  number,  but  they  appear  to  have  been  allowed  to  lapse,  for  in  1887  it  was 
moved  that  the  rule  requiring  them  to  be  held  be  enforced.     This  motion  was  adopted 


48 

after  discussion  and  a  committee  appointed  to  consider  the  whole  subject  and  report  at 
the  county  meeting  of  the  board  in  December. 

This  committee  subsequently  submitted  a  lengthy  report,  the  most  important 
feature  of  which  was  the  recommendation  that  the  secretary  of  the  board  ask  of  the 
State  an  appropriation  of  $1,000,  to  be  expended  under  the  permission  of  the  statute 
giving  the  secretary  of  the  board  of  agriculture  authority  to  employ  lecturers  and 
agents  to  speak  tojho  farmers  and  organize  farmers'  clubs.  The  general  court  of  the 
following  year  granted  an  appropriation  of  $1,000  for  this  purpose,  thus  placing  the 
institute  work  on  a  Btable  basis.  From  that  time  to  the  present  day  the  work  has 
continued,  increasing  in  importance  and  broadening  in  scope  from  year  to  year,  and  in 
no  year  has  any  society  been  allowed  to  evade  the  requirement  of  the  board  that  at 
least  three  farmers'  institutes  shall  be  held. 

The  appropriation  for  the  work  has  been  increased  from  time  to  time  as  circum- 
stances seemed  to  call  for  it.  and  the  legislature  was  moved  with  the  spirit  of  liberality 
toward  the  farming  interests  until  it  is  now  fixt  at  the  sum  of  $2,700  per  annum. 
Only  a  part  of  this  appropriation  is  used  for  the  institute  work,  however,  it  being  made 
for  the  "dissemination  of  useful  information  in  agriculture,"  and  a  considerable  por- 
tion of  it  being  devoted  to  the  issuing  of  crop  reports,  special  bulletins,  nature  leaflets, 
etc.  Generally  speaking,  about  81.800  is  expended  in  institute  work.  "When  the 
appropriation  was  materially  increased  two  years  ago,  it  was  hoped  that  a  greater  num- 
ber of  institutes  might  be  held,  but  a  new  contract  with  the  State  printers  increased 
the  cost  of  printing  by  about  20  per  cent,  which  left  the  appropriation  available  for 
institute  work  at  about  the  former  rate,  so  that  while  the  work  has  not  decreased  in 
importance  it  has  not  been  broadened  or  increased  to  the  degree  that  was  planned  for. 

The  farmers'  institutes  of  Massachusetts,  as  above  indicated,  are  based  on  the  agri- 
cultural societies  and  held  by  them,  these  societies  being  required  to  pay  the  expenses 
of  advertising  the  meetings  and  to  pay  for  the  hall,  where  payment  is  necessary,  and 
for  heating  and  lighting  the  same.  The  State  thru  the  board  of  agriculture  pays 
for  the  compensation  and  expenses  of  the  speaker,  S10  having  been  fixt  as  compen- 
sation for  each  lecture.  Many  of  the  societies  hold  all-day  meetings,  with  two  sessions 
and  two  lectures,  the  second  one  sometimes  from  a  local  speaker  and  sometimes  by 
the  speaker  furnished  by  the  State,  the  speaker  donating  his  services  or  the  society 
giving  him  extra  compensation,  as  the  kindness  of  the  speaker  or  the  financial  con- 
dition of  the  society  may  allow. 

The  institutes  are  not  entirely  confined  to  the  agricultural  societies,  the  secretary  of 
the  board  being  empowered  to  give  institutes  to  other  associations  of  an  agricultural 
nature  where  the  section  is  not  properly  covered  by  one  of  the  incorporated  agricul- 
tural societies,  of  which  power  he  avails  himself  to  a  considerable  extent,  so  that  no 
section  of  the  State  where  meetings  of  this  character  are  desired  need  go  unprovided  for. 

Upward  of  100  institutes  are  held  each  year,  with  an  average  attendance  of  about 
100  persons  at  each  meeting.  Probably  there  is  no  State  in  the  Union  where  so  many 
meetings  are  held  in  proportion  to  the  area  of  the  State,  tho  that  assertion  can  net 
be  made  absolute  without  a  more  careful  investigation.  The  system  seems  the  one 
best  adapted  to  the  needs  of  the  people  of  this  State,  as  it  combines  home  rule  with 
central  supervision.  A  list  of  speakers,  with  their  subjects,  is  printed  each  year,  from 
which  the  societies  are  expected  to  make  their  selections,  no  speaker  not  upon  that 
list  being  engaged  for  a  meeting  until  the  secretary  of  the  board  is  fully  satisfied  as  to 
his  fitness  for  the  work.  On  this  list  are  the  professors  at  the  agricultural  colleges  and 
the  workers  at  the  experiment  stations  of  this  and  neighboring  States,  together  with 
practical  farmers  of  proven  excellence  as  speakers  and  instructors.  No  person  is 
admitted  to  the  list  until  the  committee  in  charge  of  the  work  is  satisfied  as  to  his  or 
her  fitness  to  address  such  meetings,  both  as  to  subject-matter  and  method  of  delivery. 

Whether  the  future  will  bring  a  closer  departmental  control  of  the  institutes  is  a 
question  for  future  consideration.     There  are  certain  obvious  advantages  in  more  rigid 


49 

control,  but  such  control  would  call  for  largely  increased  appropriations  and  might 
possibly  also  result  in  a  falling  off  of  interest  by  offending  the  conservatism  of  the 
farmers  who  have  a  Bturdy  independence  which  calls  for  a  large  voice  in  the  manage- 
ment of  all  matters  connected  with  their  inter* 

MICHIGAN. 

The  farmers'  institute  movement  started  in  Michigan  in  1875,  as  a  result  of  con- 
ference of  members  of  the  faculty  of  the  Michigan  Agricultural  College.  President 
T.  C.  Abbot,  Robert  C.  Kedzie,  W.  .!.  Beal,  A.  J.  Cook,  and  R.  C.  Carpenter  were 
among  those  present.  Believing  that  it  would  be  to  the  interest  both  of  the  college 
and  of  the  farmers  to  establish  closer  relations  and  to  come  together  for  the  discussion 
of  topics  of  mutual  interest,  a  request  was  made  of  the  State  board  of  agriculture  for  an 
appropriation  to  pay  for  the  expenses  of  such  a  series  of  meetings.  The  appropriation 
was  granted  and  the  first  meetings  were  held  at  Allegan  and  Romeo  in  January,  1876. 

The  speakers  were  supplied  from  the  faculty  of  the  college,  and  the  attendance  and 
interest  were  so  satisfactory  that  similar  meetings  have  been  held  each  year  since  that 
date.  For  some  twelve  years  the  number  of  regular  institutes  numbered  only  six 
annually,  and  each  member  of  the  college  faculty  was  expected  to  attend  two  institutes. 
The  calls  for  institutes  increased  until  it  was  determined  to  hold  a  larger  number  each 
year,  and  about  1891  the  number  was  increased  to  twenty- two.  Previous  to  that  time 
the  work  of  arranging  institutes  has  been  attended  to  by  the  secretary  of  the  college 
and  by  members  of  the  faculty.  The  preliminary  correspondence  was  carried  on  by 
the  secretary,  and  after  the  places  for  the  meetings  had  been  determined  each  of  the 
institutes  was  placed  in  the  hands  of  a  member  of  the  college  faculty,  whose  duty  it 
became  to  ''work  up"  the  meeting.  As  a  rule,  the  places  were  visited,  and  at  a  pre- 
liminary meeting  a  local  committee  was  appointed  to  take  charge  of  the  arrangements 
for  the  meeting.  Topics  were  selected  for  the  State  speakers,  and  local  talent  enlisted 
to  furnish  one  or  more  papers  for  each  session,  as  well  as  music  and  recitations.  The 
conductor  also  looked  after  the  itinerary  of  the  State  speakers  and  saw  that  hotel 
accommodations  were  secured  and  that  proper  local  arrangements  were  made. 

"When  the  number  of  institutes  was  increased  the  general  charge  of  the  work  was 
placed  in  the  hands  of  A.  C.  Glidden,  who  was  at  the  time  a  member  of  the  State 
board  of  agriculture.  The  interest  in  institute  work  increased  until  in  1895  the  State 
made  an  appropriation  of  $5,000  annually  for  farmers'  institutes,  and  the  State  board  of 
agriculture  deemed  it  wise  to  appoint  a  special  superintendent  of  institutes  and  selected 
Kenyon  L.  Butterfield  for  the  purpose.  Mr.  Butterfield  was  also  given  charge  of  the 
college-extension  work  and  advertising.  The  law  under  which  the  appropriation  was 
made  provided  that  a  two-day  institute  should  be  held  in  each  of  the  counties  which 
requested  one  and  which  organized  an  institute  society.  It  also  gave  the  board  of 
agriculture  authority  to  hold  a  number  of  one-day  institutes.  As  originally  past,  the 
law  provided  that  in  case  a  county  institute  society  did  not  care  to  accept  the 
speakers  furnished  by  the  board  of  agriculture  an  allowance  of  $25  should  be  made  for 
the  payment  of  the  expenses  of  an  institute  to  be  held  in  the  county.  This  was 
repealed  by  the  next  legislature,  however,  and  at  the  present  time  only  the  per  diem 
and  traveling  expenses  of  the  State  speakers  who  attend  the  institutes  are  paid. 

"When  the  number  of  institutes  was  increased,  the  faculty  of  the  college  was  no 
longer  able  to  carry  on  the  institute  work  without  assistance,  especially  as  in  1895,  the 
college  year,  which  previously  provided  for  a  winter  vacation,  was  changed  so  that  the 
long  vacation  came  in  the  summer.  It  therefore  became  necessary  to  secure  a  con- 
siderable number  of  speakers  in  addition  to  the  assistance  that  could  be  furnished  by 
the  members  of  the  faculty.  For  the  most  part,  the  speakers  chosen  were  successful 
farmers  and  fruit  growers.  In  order  that  he  might  be  sure  that  the  speakers  carried 
out  in  practise  what  they  advocated  in  their  addresses,  the  superintendent  visited 

11797— No.  174—06 4 


50 

them  in  their  homes  and  looked  into  the  methods  used  by  them.  It  was  also  found 
possible  to  enlist  in  the  work  a  number  of  the  faculty  of  the  State  University  and  normal 

BCl Is.     For  the  first  year  the  per  diem  of  the  regular  speakers  was  $3,  in  addition  to 

railroad  and  hotel  bills,  but  one  year  later  the  sum  was  increased  to  $4  per  day  for  those 
who  acted  as  conductors  of  institutes,  and  it  has  since  been  increased  to  $5  after  a  speaker 
has  spent  one  season  in  institute  work.  Contrary  to  the  custom  in  many  other  States, 
do  one  who  is  in  the  regular  employ  of  the  State  of  Michigan  can  draw  a  per  diem  for 
institute  work. 

The  increased  appropriation  made  it  possible  to  hold  some  50  institutes  annually,  in 
addition  to  a  four-day  round-up.  Several  one-day  institutes  were  also  held.  These 
were  attended  by  but  one  speaker  and  were  frequently  arranged  in  connection  with  a 
farmers'  picnic  during  the  summer  months.  Finally,  in  1899,  the  annual  appropria- 
tion was  increased  to  $7,500,  and  this  made  it  possible  to  still  further  increase  the  num- 
ber of  one-day  institutes.  In  1903-1  some  70  two-day  institutes  and  221  one-day 
meetings  were  held.  For  the  most  part  the  two-day  institutes  were  held  in  some  town 
near  the  center  of  the  county  or  at  some  point  that  could  be  readily  reached  by  the 
railroads.  In  some  counties  it  has  been  thought  advisable  to  hold  a  meeting  at  the 
same  point  year  after  year,  but  in  others  it  has  been  found  better  to  change  the  meeting 
point  each  year.  The  one-day  institutes  are  held  in  the  smaller  towns,  frequently  in  a 
Grange  hall  or  schoolhouse,  and  as  they  are  usually  held  two  or  three  weeks  in  advance 
of  the  two-day  institute,  they  act  as  feeders  for  it,  and  serve  to  bring  out  many  persons 
who  would  not  be  able  to  attend  the  two-day  meeting. 

For  the  two-day  institutes  the  smallest  number  of  persons  furnished  is  three,  one  of 
whom  is  a  woman,  who  speaks  in  the  general  sessions  of  the  meeting  upon  topics  relating 
to  poultry  raising,  butter  making,  education,  and  other  topics  that  would  be  of  general 
interest,  and  who  acts  as  conductor  and  speaks  at  a  special  woman's  section,  which  is 
generally  held  the  second  afternoon  of  the  institute.  These  women's  sections  have 
met  with  much  favor,  and  in  very  few  cases  does  it  happen  that  when  they  have  once 
been  held  in  a  county  it  is  voted  to  discontinue  them.  It  is  found  advisable  in  some 
instances,  and  especially  in  counties  in  the  southern  part  of  the  State,  to  furnish  lec- 
turers upon  topics  relating  to  good  roads,  farm  law,  veterinary  science,  education,  and 
other  topics  that  can  not  be  treated  by  the  average  institute  worker. 

Unlike  the  custom  in  many  of  the  States,  an  endeavor  is  made  to  make  the  people  feel 
that  it  is  "their  "  institute.  The  local  arrangements  are  made  by  the  executive  officers 
of  the  county  institute  society,  and  the  county  secretary  attends  to  securing  local  talent 
for  the  program  and  looks  after  the  advertising.  As  a  rule,  the  time  is  about  equally 
divided  between  the  State  and  local  speakers,  and  ample  opportunity  is  afforded  after 
each  paper  for  questions  and  discussion. 

The  interest  in  institute  work  in  Michigan  is  on  the  increase;  and  altho  the  funds  will 
only  permit  the  holding  of  an  average  of  3  one-day  institutes  in  each  county,  a  large 
number  of  counties  ask  for  from  8  to  10,  and  others  would  hold  from  12  to  20  could  a 
State  speaker  be  furnished  them.  The  success  of  an  institute  in  almost  any  of  the 
counties  depends  to  a  large  extent  on  the  thoroness  with  which  it  has  been  advertised 
and  "worked  up."  As  this  is  in  the  hands  of  the  county  secretary,  it  can  be  said  that 
the  success  of  the  institutes  in  the  given  county  will  depend  to  a  large  extent  upon  the 
efficiency  of  the  man  selected  to  act  as  secretary  of  the  institute  society  for  that  county. 

At  the  close  of  the  institute  season  a  report  is  published  giving  the  organization  of  the 
various  institute  societies  and  a  report  of  the  work  for  the  year.  The  proceedings  of  the 
round-up  institute  are  usually  published  in  full,  and  frequently  space  is  given  for 
printing  some  of  the  papers  read  at  county  institutes.  These  reports  are  mailed  to  all 
who  have  become  members  of  the  county  institute  societies,  as  well  as  to  libraries, 
newspapers,  and  to  farmers  who  may  apply  for  them. 

It  may  be  further  stated  that,  altho  they  were  not  called  farmers'  institutes,  the 
Michigan  legislature  in  18G1  past  a  law  providing  for  lecturers  upon  farm  topics  to  others 


:>1 

than  the  students  <>i'  the  agricultural  college.  Michigan  was  also  the  first  to  make  an 
appropriation  for  farmers'  institutes,  as  well  as  the  first  to  establish  a  permanent  insti- 
tute system.  Ii  is  also  the  only  State  thai  has  hold  farmers'  institutes  continuously 
for  the  past  twenty-eight  years. 

MINNESOTA. 

Farmers'  institutes  wore  not  hold  in  the  State  undo)-  the  auspices  of  any  governing 
hoard  nor  were  t  hoy  supported  by  State  funds  until  the  year  1886.  Prior  to  thai  date 
the  efforts  that  had  been  made  to  bring  the  farmers  in  touch  with  a  higher  agricultural 
education  and  with  improved  methods  of  farming  had  not   been  successful  in  any 

marked  degree.  They  looked  at  such  an  education  and  at  such  methods  with  suspicion 
and  kept  themselves  and  their  sons  at  what  they  considered  a  -ale  distance  from  it. 
The  agricultural  branch  of  the  university  languished.  Overshadowed  by  die  luxuri- 
ance of  the  other  branches,  itcould  scarcely  he  seen.  The  university  was  virtually  with- 
out agricultural  students.  The  farmers  were  not  only  not  in  sympathy  with  such  an 
institution,  but  a  majority  of  them  were  hostile  to  it.  In  a  word,  a  great  gulf  existed 
between  them  and  the  higher  education  offered  to  their  sons  by  the  university.  Before 
anything  could  be  done  this  gulf  must  be  bridged  over.  The  necessity  for  such  a 
bridge  had  much  to  do  with  the  origination  of  the  farmers'  institute  in  Minnesota. 

Hon.  H.  E.  Hoard,  of  Montevideo,  was  among  the  first  to  agitate  in  favor  of  farmers' 
institutes  in  the  State.  In  1883  the  annual  meeting  of  the  Northwestern  Dairyman's 
Association  was  held  in  Mankato.  It  was  at  that  meeting  that  Mr.  Hoard,  A.  H.  Reid, 
of  Glencoe,  and  P.  B.  Netileton.  of  Montevideo,  became  imbued  with  the  idea  that 
farmers'  meetings  of  some  kind  should  be  called  occasionally  in  various  parts  of  the 
State  for  the  discussion  of  topics  relating  to  the  farm.  Meetings  were  held  at  Monte- 
video and  Glencoe,  respectively,  in  1884,  ]885,  and  1886.  A  bill  was  introduced  into 
the  legislature  of  1885  to  appropriate  $5,000  annually  to  sustain  the  institutes,  but  it 
failed  to  pass.  In  1886  a  series  of  farmers'  institutes  was  inaugurated  by  the  agricul- 
tural committee  of  the  board  of  regents.  Profs.  E.  Porter  and  0.  C.  Gregg  were  the 
chief  speakers  at  these  meetings.  As  the  students  had  failed  to  attend  the  agricultural 
classes  at  the  university,  Professor  Porter  conceived  the  idea  of  going  out  among  the 
farmers  and  holding  meetings  in  their  midst.  It  was  in  support  of  this  idea  that  an 
appropriation  of  81,000  was  made  by  the  agricultural  committee  of  the  university  board 
of  regents  to  defray  the  expenses  of  the  thirty-one  institutes  held  in  1886.  Many  of 
these  meetings  were  in  connection  with  county  fairs,  a  most  unsuitable  place  for  hold- 
ing institutes,  as  has  since  been  proved  by  experience.  Meanwhile  Mr.  Gregg  had 
been  accustomed  to  hold  whaj;  may  be  termed  little  institutes  of  his  own  at  certain 
fairs  which  he  chanced  to  attend.  They  were  convened  in  the  open  air,  somewhere 
near  the  cattle  sheds.  The  theme  was  dairying,  and  more  especially  the  dairy  cow. 
Ex-Governor  Pillsbury,  endeavoring  to  solve  the  problem  of  interesting  the  farmers 
in  higher  education  in  agriculture,  heard  of  this  work  and  after  a  conference  with 
Mr.  Gregg,  requested  his  assistance  in  the  work  of  establishing  farmers'  institutes  in 
the  State. 

In  February,  1.887,  Hon.  H.  E.  Hoard,  at  that  time  a  State  senator,  introduced  into 
the  legislature  a  bill  providing  for  the  continuance  and  maintenance  of  the  farmers' 
institute.  The  bill  was  championed  in  the  house  by  the  Hon.  AY.  R.  Estes,  of  Madelia. 
The  bill,  as  finally  past,  provided  that  $7,500  per  annum  should  be  devoted  to  farmers' 
institute  work. 

In  1889  the  annual  appropriation  for  institutes  was  increased  to  S  10.000;  in  189.")  to 
$12,500;  later  to  $13,500;  then  to  SL6.500;  and  in  1901  it  was  made  818.000  per  year. 

The  members  of  the  first  board  of  control  were  H.  H.  Sibley,  president  board  of 
regents;  D.  L.  Kiehle,  secretary  board  of  regents;  W.  R.  Merriam,  president  State 
Agricultural  Society;  W.  H.  Denny,  secretary  State  Agricultural  Society;  S.  M. 
Emery,  president  State  Dairy  Association;  Frank  D.  Holmes,  secretary  State  Dairy 


52 

Association;  E.  H.  Atwood,  president  State  Farmers'  Alliance;  Eric  Olson,  secretary- 
State  Farmers'  Alliance;  Wyman  Elliott,  president  State  Horticultural  Society. 

The  membership  of  the  board  was  subsequently  modified,  so  that  it  now  consists  of 
three  members  chosen  from  the  State  board  of  regents,  and  of  the  presiding  officers  of 
the  State  Agricultural  Society,  of  the  State  Horticultural  Society,  and  of  the  State 
Dairy  Association.  The  regents  on  the  board  are  appointed  by  the  president,  of  the 
board  of  regents.  This  board  of  administration  appoints  the  superintendent  and 
assistant  superintendent  of  institutes  from  year  to  year  and  defines  their  duties.  They 
map  out  the  course  and  location  of  the  meetings  that  shall  be  held  during  the  season. 
The  details  of  this  work  are  left  with  the  superintendent. 

In  April,  1887,  Mr.  Gregg  was  chosen  superintendent  and  was  given  entire  charge  of 
the  work.  The  only  restrictions  put  upon  him  were  to  counsel  in  a  general  way  with 
the  board  of  control  then  established,  as  to  when  the  institutes  would  be  held,  to  report 
progress  at  stated  times,  and  to  account  in  the  customary  way  for  the  money  used. 

In  determining  where  institutes  shall  be  held  due  regard  is  had.  fiist .  to  the  needs  of 
the  locality;  second,  to  convenience  and  economy  in  money  and  time  when  traveling 
from  one  institute  to  another;  third,  to  the  response  on  the  part  of  the  farmers  at  pre- 
vious institutes  that  have  been  held  there;  and,  fourth,  to  the  urgency  of  the  requests 
for  institutes  that  have  been  made  by  letter  or  otherwise  to  the  proper  parties.  These 
requests  should  be  addrest  to  the  superintendent  or  to  the  chairman  of  the  board  of 
administration. 

The  winter  circuit  of  the  institutes  usually  begins  with  December  and  ends  with 
March.  The  summer  circuit  commonly  begins  in  the  closing  days  of  May  and  termi- 
nates with  July.  As  there  are  more  than  eighty  counties  in  the  State,  it  is  not  possible, 
aa  at  present  conducted,  to  hold  an  institute  in  each  county  every  year. 

The  superintendent  maps  out,  for  submission  to  the  board  of  administration,  the 
institute  circuit  for  the  season  and  arranges  the  details  of  the  institute  meetings.  He 
edits  the  Institute  Annual,  signs  all  checks  for  institute  expenses,  and  reports  to  the 
board  of  administration  from  time  to  time  the  condition  and  progress  of  the  institute 
work. 

The  institutes  are  advertised  by  means  of  posters,  handbills,  and  fly  sheets.  Prior 
to  the  issuing  of  these  an  advance  agent  is  sent  out  to  visit  the  various  localities  desiring 
institutes.  If  the  way  is  clear  for  the  locating  of  the  institute  at  a  given  point,  the 
advance  agent  selects  a  suitable  hall  and  secures  the  cooperation  of  the  business  men 
of  the  locality  in  advertising  the  meetings. 

The  institute  teaching  force  is  selected  with  great  care.  Only  those  who  have 
shown  capacity  to  instruct  are  permitted  to  lecture.  Charts,  models,  a  cooking  outfit, 
dairy  apparatus,  portable  blackboard,  etc..  for  illustrative  purposes  are  provided  by 
the  superintendent. 

The  sessions  of  the  winter  institutes  were  formerly  continued  for  two  days.  This  has 
been  modified  until  now  by  far  the  largest  number  are  one-day  institutes.  The  sum- 
mer meetings  usually  begin  about  May  20  and  extend  thru  June.  These  are  all  one- 
day  meetings  and  are  made  up  of  two  sessions. 

A  feature  of  the  institute  in  Minnesota  is  the  use  of  the  living  animal  on  the  platform 
for  illustrative  purposes  in  lecturing  upon  animal-husbandry  topics.  In  summer  these 
demonstrations  are  frequently  held  in  the  street. 

The  attendance  at  the  Minnesota  meetings  has  always  been  very  large.  As  many  as 
1.200  persons  have  been  present  in  a  single  day.  The  total  number  for  the  year  1904, 
present  at  the  154  institutes  held  was  over  46,000. 

A  great  deal  of  attention  has  been  paid  by  the  institute  board  to  giving  instruction  in 
the  breeding,  feeding,  and  handling  of  dairy  herds,  as  well  as  in  the  manufacture  of 
dairy  products. 

In  1890  a  cooking  school  was  made  an  adjunct  of  the  institute  work.  Good  cooking 
is  now  taught  in  the  Minnesota  institutes  as  regularly  as  good  farming.     Charts,  show- 


53 

ing  the  composition  of  foods,  are  used  by  the  demonstrators  to  show  how  balanced  food 
rations  may  be  constructed. 

At  every  institute  held  in  Minnesota  there  ie  al  leasl  one  address  given  on  the  work 
of  the  college  of  agriculture  of  the  State.  The  college  is  thus  broughl  to  the  attention 
of  farming  people  in  a  way  thai  interests  and  informs  them  and  enables  them  to  become 
personally  acquainte  1  with  many  of  the  professors  who  are  engaged  in  giving  instruc- 
tion in  agriculture  in  the  institution.  The  work  of  the  agricultural  experiment  station 
is  likewise  referred  to  and  the  main  features  of  its  operations  explained. 

The  Institute  Annual  is  an  important  educational  feature  of  the  Minnesota  institutes. 
It  is  a  book  of  ahum  300  pages,  composed  of  addresses  bythe  institute  lecturers  and 
articles  contributed  by  experts  upon  various  agricultural  subjects.  The  book  is 
edited  by  the  superintendent  of  institutes  and  copies  are  distributed  at  the  institute 
meetings  of  the  succeeding  season.     The  edition  numbers  30,000. 

MISSISSIPPI. 

The  first  appropriation  for  farmers'  institute  work  in  Mississippi  was  made  in  1900, 
when  the  legislature  appropriated  SI. 000  for  the  years  1900  and  1901.  When  this 
appropriation  was  made  the  institute  work  was  well  established.  In  1899,  28  institutes 
were  held,-  in  1895,  18  institutes  were  held,  and  in  1897,  15.  Prior  to  this  time  only 
4  to  5  institutes  were  held  each  year,  beginning  in  1884. 

Where  an  institute  was  held  without  any  other  attraction — such,  for  example,  as  a 
barbecue  or  picnic— 50  to  100  farmers  were  usually  in  attendance,  but  in  some  cases, 
especially  for  the  first  institute,  as  many  as  400  or  500  people  would  attend.  As  an 
average  result  each  institute  reached  about  75  or  80  farmers,  and  where  some  social 
feature  was  associated  with  the  meeting  the  total  attendance  was  from  200  to  500  and, 
in  a  few  cases,  perhaps  1,000.  The  few  institutes  that  were  held  from  1884  to  1888 
were  usually  accompanied  by  some  social  feature,  such  as  a  barbecue  or  picnic.  They 
were  largely  attended,  and  the  expenses  of  such  speakers  as  went  from  the  college  were 
paid  out  of  college  funds. 

After  the  establishment  of  the  experiment  station  in  1888  station  funds  were  used 
to  defray  the  expenses  incurred  for  holding  institutes  until  the  legislature  made  the 
first  appropriation,  referred  to  above. 

Up  to  1904  the  legislature  has  made  three  appropriations  for  holding  farmers'  insti- 
tutes, covering  a  period  of  six  years.  The  second  appropriation  was  S3, 000  and  the 
third  S6,000.  The  latter  appropriation  is  still  available  for  the  work  of  the  next  two 
seasons. 

With  increased  appropriations  more  institutes  have  been  held  each  season,  and  the 
average  attendance  has  increased  to  some  extent.  In  1903,  107  institutes  were  held, 
and  the  estimated  attendance  was  11,326.  Forty  institutes  were  held  in  1901  and  58 
in  1902. 

At  first  the  institutes  were  very  often  continued  for  three  days.  Two-day  institutes, 
however,  were  most  common  until  1898,  since  which  time  one-day  meetings  have  been 
regarded  as  better,  tho  a  number  of  communities  continue  to  express  a  desire  for 
two-day  sessions.  "Most  of  the  institutes  have  been  held  during  July  and  August. 
The  work  is  under  the  immediate  direction  of  the  president  of  the  Agricultural  and 
Mechanical  College. 

Institute  work  in  Mississippi  has  accomplished  great  good.  It  is  causing  the  farmer 
to  think,  observe,  and,  to  some  extent,  to  read.  It  has  brought  the  college,  the  station, 
and  the  farmers  closer  together,  so  that  they  know  each  other  better.  As  the  attend- 
ance at  the  institutes  has  increased  so  the  number  of  students  at  the  college  has  multi- 
plied, and  the  bulletin  mailing  list  has  grown  larger. 


54 


MISSOURI. 

The  farmers'  institute  as  an  organized  educational  institution,  as  well  as  all  other 
organized  agencies  for  the  advancement  of  agricultural  development  and  education 

in  Missouri,  arc  so  closely  identified  with  and  have  been  so  largely  promoted  and 
developed  by  the  State  board  of  agriculture  thai  in  recording  the  history  of  farmers' 
insi  itutes  in  this  State  it  is  necessary  to  consider  the  hoard  of  agriculture  and  the  insti- 
tute organization  together. 

The  firsl  State  agricultural  society  receiving  patronage  from  the  State  was  incorpo- 
rated by  the  Legislature  by  an  act  approved  February  24,  1853. a  In  the  same  year  an 
agricultural  fair  was  held  by  this  society  at  Boonville,  and  the  most  prominent  feature 
of  this  fair  was  a  public  address  by  Hon.  Uriah  Wright,  of  St.  Louis,  in  which  he  made 
a  master  argument  in  favor  of  agricultural  education.  Mr.  Wright's  address  shows  that 
the  importance  of  special  education  for  the  farmer  was  at  least  thought  of  in  Missouri 
more  than  forty  years  ago  and  at  a  time  when  much  of  the  State  was  yet  a  vast 
wilderness. 

During  the  winter  of  1864-65  the  legislature  incorporated  the  Missouri  State  Board  of 
Agriculture.  The  board  was  organized  under  this  act  at  its  first  meeting  held  March 
13,  1865.  The  work  of  the  board  for  the  first  few  years  of  its  existence  consisted  mainly 
in  exploiting  the  resources  of  the  State  and  in  gathering  useful  information  on  crops, 
improved  breeds  of  live  stock,  new  inventions  of  farm  machinery,  etc.  This  infor- 
mation was  published  in  the  annual  report  and  distributed  among  the  farmers  of  the 
State  and  no  doubt  had  a  considerable  influence  in  opening  up  the  way  for  the  future 
work  of  the  board. 

The  annual  meetings  of  the  board  held  for  the  purpose  of  transacting  routine  busi- 
ness soon  developed  into  what  was  practically  a  State  institute  meeting.  At  these 
meetings  the  most  intelligent  and  successful  farmers  and  prominent  scientists  would 
meet  with  the  board,  and  papers  were  read  and  addresses  delivered  on  current  farm 
topics  in  as  able  a  manner,  considering  the  state  of  progress  of  science  at  that  time,  as 
are  the  subjects  now  handled  at  one  of  our  present-day  State  institute  meetings. 

The  first  effort  of  the  board  of  agriculture  toward  the  establishment  of  farmers'  insti- 
tute meetings  was  made  at  the  annual  meeting  held  in  St.  Louis,  September  9,  1869. b 
A  resolution  drawn  by  Norman  J.  Colman  was  unanimously  adopted  at  that  meeting 
pledging  the  support  of  the  members  of  the  board  to  the  organization  of  institute  work 
and  promising  their  assistance  and  attendance  as  far  as  practicable  whenever  possible. 
No  meetings  were  held,  however,  under  this  resolution,  for  lack  of  available  funds. 

The  second  and  successful  move  toward  the  establishment  of  organized  institute 
work  was  made  at  the  annual  meeting  of  the  board  of  agriculture,  held  November  1, 
1882/  by  Prof.  J.  W.  Sanborn,  who  at  the  time  was  filling  the  position  of  secretary  of 
the  board  of  agriculture  as  well  as  that  of  dean  of  the  agricultural  college.  Upon  the 
suggestion  of  Professor  Sanborn  a  committee  was  appointed  to  report  on  the  organiza- 
tion of  farmers'  institutes.  The  committee  after  deliberation  reported  resolutions, 
which  were  adopted  by  the  board,  setting  forth  the  desirability  of  holding  farmers' 
institute  meetings  during  the  coming  winter  and  requesting  the  secretary  of  the  board 
to  notify  the  farming  communities  thru  the  press  of  the  desire  of  the  board  to  coop- 
erate with  them  in  holding  institutes  and  that  the  board  would  defray  the  expenses, 
except  that  the  counties  must  furnish  hall  for  the  meeting  and  heat  and  light  it  free  of 
expense  to  the  board.  The  secretary  was  also  requested  to  arrange  with  not  less  than 
three  nor  more  than  five  members  of  the  board  for  the  delivering  of  addresses  upon 
some  farm  topic. 

a  First  Ann.  Rpt.  Bd.  Agr.,  1865.  cAnn.  Rpt.  Bd.  Agr.,  1882. 

&Ann.  Rpt.  Bd.  Agr.,  1869. 


This  was  undoubtedly  the  beginning  of  a  new  era  for  the  board,  for  From  thi^  i  inn-  on 
we  find  thai  its  work  was  extended  and  it  came  into  favor  with  the  farmers  of  the  State. 
Under  the  authority  of  the  above  regulations  the  firel  regularly  organized  farmers1 
institute  meeting  was  held  al  Independence,  Mo.,  on  December  18  and  19,  L882.  The 
subjects  discusl  at  this  meeting  were  small  fruits,  stock  feeding,  corn  culture,  the 
double  tree,  butter  production,  farm  experiments  at  the  college  farm,  animal  growth 
and  nutrition,  sorghum  as  a  source  of  sugar,  and  pork  pointers. 

For  the  season  of  L883  84  two  meetings  were  held,  and  from  thai  time  on  the  num- 
ber was  yearly  increased  until  during  the  season  of  KsS  89  fourteen  meetings  were  held. 

These  t tiiiLr-  were  conducted  by  the  secretary  of  the  board  of  agriculture,  assisted 

by  members  of  the  board  and  successful  farmers  who  could  be  induced  to  take  pari  in 
the  work,  and  also  members  of  the  faculty  of  the  agricultural  college.  No  salaries  were 
paid  the  lecturers,  but  only  traveling  and  hotel  expenses,  which  expense  was  paid 
out  of  the  very  small  contingent  fund  of  the  hoard  of  agriculture.  Up  to  this  date  the 
largest  amount  of  funds  used  in  one  year  in  institute  work  was  about  $500  expended 
on  the  meetings  for  the  season  of  1888-89.  The  first  appropriation  made  by  the 
legislature  explicitly  for  use  in  institute  work  was  during  the  session  of  1891,  and  dur- 
ing the  same  session  the  duties  of  the  board  of  agriculture  were  greatly  enlarged  and 
more  liberal  appropriations  given  than  had  hitherto  been  made  for  the  support  of  the 
board.  The  total  appropriations,  however,  were  yet  very  modest  considering  the 
extent  of  territory  and  the  scope  of  the  work.  The  biennial  appropriations  made  for 
institute  work  from  the  first  appropriation  in  1891  until  (he  present  time  are  as  follows: 
1891-92,  $10,000;  1893-94,88,000;  1895-96,16,000;  1897-98,86,000;  1899-1900.84,000; 
1901-2.  88,000;  1903-4,  810,000.     Total  for  fourteen  years,  $52,000. 

Out  of  the  above  appropriations  all  expenses  for  advertising,  printing,  postage,  per 
diem,  and  expenses  of  lecturers  have  been  paid. 

That  the  work  is  making  a  reasonably  good  progress  is  shown  by  the  following  state- 
ments for  the  season  of  1903-4.  There  were  147  meetings  held  with  a  total  attendance 
of  30,220.  Twenty-eight  lecturers  were  on  the  institute  staff,  13  of  whom  were  fur- 
nished by  the  State  agricultural  college  and  whose  expenses  only  were  paid,  while  15 
others  were  employed  at  a  stipulated  per  diem  and  expenses. 

Thru  all  these  years  the  progress  has  been  slow  but  permanent.  A  great  many 
obstacles  have  been  in  the  way.  The  greatest  hindrance  perhaps  has  been  (1)  a  lack 
of  information  among  some  of  the  farmers  as  to  the  real  object  of  the  institute  work,  and 
(2)  their  prejudices  against  "book  farming"  caused,  no  doubt,  by  impracticable 
methods  advocated  by  some  so-called  agricultural  writers  and  teachers.  These  hin- 
drances, however,  are  no  longer  in  our  way,  for  thru  the  practical  work  that  is  being 
done  by  the  institute  lecturer  hundreds  of  farmers  have  been  benefited  and  are  now 
earnest  in  their  efforts  to  promote  the  work.  The  only  difficulties  we  find  in  our  way 
now  are  first  to  secure  sufficient  funds  and  second  to  find  plenty  of  competent  help. 

MONTANA. 

Farmers'  institute  meetings  in  Montana  started  practically  with  the  organization  of 
the  agricultural  college  and  experiment  station,  the  first  institute  meetings  being  held 

during  the  year  1893.  the  year  the  college  was  organized.  Meetings  were  held  this 
year  in  some  lit  places,  scattered  in  most  of  the  counties  of  the  Suite.  The  experiment 
station  staff,  of  which  at  that  time  Prof.  S.  M.  Emery  was  director,  were  the  principal 
speakers  at  the  meetings. 

These  meetings  were  conducted  with  the  understanding  that  the  various  districts 
visited  raise  funds  sufficient  to  pay  the  expenses  of  the  institute  workers.  The  lec- 
turers, being  mainly  members  of  the  college  and  experiment  station  staffs,  served  with- 
out extra  compensation.  The  large  interest  taken  in  these  meetings  under  the  cir- 
cumstances is  worthy  of  note  and  shows  that  the  Montana  farmers  and  business  men 
were  alive  to  the  importance  of  the  work. 


56 

From  the  first  year  the  railroads  of  the  State  gave  free  transportation  to  the  institute 
workers.  After  that  this  favor  was  withdrawn,  and  this  large  addition  to  the  expense 
cut  down  the  number  of  meetings  at  the  smaller  settlements  for  succeeding  years.  A 
few  meetings  wore  held,  however,  in  various  parts  of  the  State  nearly  every  year  up 
to  the  enactment  of  the  present  farmers'  institute  law,  which  was  past  during  the 
winter  of  1901.     The  law  is  as  follows: 

Section  1.  The  board  of  administration  of  farmers'  institutes  as  provided  for  in  this 
act  shall  consist  as  follows:  The  governor  of  the  State  and  the  director  of  the  Montana 
Experiment  Station,  both  of  whom  shall  be  ex  officio  members,  and  the  president 
of  the  following  named  organizations,  the  Montana  Wool  Growers'  Association,  the 
Montana  Live  Stock  Association,  the  Montana  Horticultural  Society,  the  Montana 
Agricultural  Association,  and  the  Montana  Dairymen's  Association,  when  these  last 
two  shall  have  been  duly  organized.  Members  of  such  board  of  administration  shall 
be  designated  the  "directors  of  the  Montana  farmers'  institutes,"  and  shall  be  author- 
ized to  hold  such  institutes  for  the  instruction  of  the  citizens  of  this  State  in  the 
various  branches  of  agriculture,  and  shall  prescribe  such  rules  and  regulations  as  they 
may  deem  best  for  organizing  and  conducting  the  same.  Such  institutes  shall  be  held 
at  least  once  in  each  county  in  each  year  and  at  such  times  and  places  as  the  directors 
may  designate.  The  directors  may  employ  an  agent  or  agents  to  perform  such  work 
in  organizing  and  conducting  said  institutes  as  they  may  deem  best.  The  course  of 
instruction  at  such  institutes  shall  be  so  arranged  as  to  present  to  those  in  attendance 
the  results  of  the  recent  investigations  in  theoretical  and  practical  agriculture. 

Sec  2.  For  the  purpose  mentioned  in  this  act  the  directors  may  use  such  sum  of 
money  as  they  may  deem  proper,  not  exceeding  the  sum  of  $2,000  in  any  one  year, 
and  such  amount  is  hereby  annually  appropriated  for  that  purpose  out  of  the  moneys 
in  the  State  treasury  not  otherwise  appropriated.  Each  institute  held  under  the 
authority  of  this  act  shall  be  entitled  to  the  sum  of  not  exceeding  $50  from  the  amount 
appropriated  under  this  act. 

The  institutes  are  placed  under  the  direction  of  the  agricultural  organizations  of  the 
State,  and  thru  the  directors  of  the  experiment  station  are  kept  in  touch  with  the 
scientific  investigations  of  the  station.  In  the  organization  of  the  board  the  director 
of  the  station  was  made  secretary  of  the  board  and  later  superintendent  of  the  farmers' 
institutes,  with  immediate  charge  of  the  work  over  the  State.  During  the  first  and 
second  year  under  the  law  it  was  found  that  sufficient  funds  had  not  been  provided  to 
meet  the  needs  of  the  work,  and  so  but  a  part  of  the  State  was  covered  during  this 
time.  An  annual  report  of  nearly  300  pages  was  gotten  out,  however,  and  the  interest 
in  the  work  increased,  so  that  the  law  was  amended  during  the  winter  of  1903  and  the 
amount  of  funds  appropriated  increased  to  $4,000  per  year. 

While  the  station  and  college  staff  has  been  the  main  dependence  of  the  work,  yet  a 
large  number  of  practical  farmers  have  generously  contributed  freely  of  their  time  in 
visiting  various  parts  of  the  State  to  help  at  these  meetings.  Some  fifteen  or  twenty 
persons  have  signified  their  willingness  to  help.  This  will  make  it  possible  to  extend 
and  broaden  the  scope  of  the  work. 

The  State  has  been  divided  into  districts,  and  the  people  in  the  various  localities 
have  been  encouraged  to  organize  local  farmers'  institutes.  Some  ten  to  twelve  such 
organizations  are  now  in  existence,  and  a  live  interest  is  being  taken  in  the  meetings. 
During  the  past  year  every  county  in  the  State  has  been  visited,  and  a  marked  increase 
in  attendance  and  interest  was  shown  over  the  previous  year.  It  is  believed  that  the 
work  has  now  a  firm  place  in  the  educational  forces  of  the  State  and  in  the  confidence 
of  the  people.  ^ 

NEBRASKA, 

The  farmers'  institute  movement  in  Nebraska  began,  so  far  as  records  are  obtainable, 
with  meetings  held  at  Kearney  and  Gibbon,  Buffalo  County,  as  early  as  1877.  These 
meetings  were  attended  by  Profs.  S.  R.  Thompson  and  H.  C.  Culbertson,  from  the 
university,  on  invitation  of  the  local  institute  manager.  Other  institutes  were  held  at 
later  dates  without  regularity,  and  no  record  of  the  officers  in  charge  or  evidence  of  a 
permanent  organization  can  be  found. 


57 

A  farmers'  institute  was  held  in  Nemaha  County  February  7,  1882.  Mr.  W.  F. 
Wrighl  was  elected  president  and  Mr.  Benton  Aldrich  secretary.  Mr.  Wrighl  had 
mil  Prof.  S.  R.  Thompson  al  Lincoln  to  talk  over  the  benefits  to  be  derived  Erom  Bucha 
meeting,  and  the  above-mentioned  date  was  selected.  The  meeting  was  attended  by 
S.  R.  Thompson,  professor  of  agriculture,  and  II.  C.  Culbertson,  prof essor  of  horticul- 
ture. The  Hon.  II.  W.  Furnas,  secretary  of  the  State  board  of  agriculture,  was  present 
at  this  meeting,  together  with  a  large  number  of  men  and  women  who  have  since  been 
prominent  in  Nemaha  and  Johnson  county  institutes.  This  meeting  was  held  20 
miles  from  the  nearest  railroad,  station,  and  the  organization  formed  in  1882  is  -'ill 
active. 

In  October,  1882,  a  second  organization  of  the  same  nature  was  formed  at  Tecumseh, 
Johnson  County,  adjacent  to  Nemaha,  with  J.  W.  Hosic  president  and  W.  R.  Harris 
secretary.  This  organization  performed  exactly  the  same  work  as  that  done  by  the 
farmers'  institute.  It  continued  until  February,  1896,  wdien  it  was  merged  into  the 
Johnson  County  Horticultural  and  Agricultural  Society  for  one  year,  being  reorganized 
January  27,  1897,  under  the  name  of  the  Johnson  County  Farmers'  Institute,  which 
organization  still  continues.  This  organization  has  held  annual  or  more  frequent 
meetings  since  1882,  holding  in  1905  a  four-day  institute  with  an  extensive  corn  show,  a 
good-roads  day,  and  with  several  sessions  of  the  institute  in  charge  of  the  women's 
branch  of  the  association. 

On  December  27,  1884,  there  was  a  meeting  of  the  Lancaster  Agricultural  Society, 
and  the  record  of  this  meeting  shows  that  Prof.  C.  E.  Bessey  was  present  and  addrest 
the  society  in  relation  to  holding  a  county  farmers'  institute.  Professor  Bessey  said 
that  heretofore  these  institutes  had  been  held  under  the  auspices  of  the  professors  of 
the  agricultural  college,  but  he  thought  that  it  would  be  better  for  the  county  agricul- 
tural society  to  hold  them  or  assume  the  control  of  them.  The  professors  would  attend 
and  give  lectures  and  do  whatever  they  could  to  make  such  institutes  a  success.  At 
the  close  of  Professor  Bessey's  talk  a  committee  was  appointed  to  consider  this  matter, 
which  named  the  first  Saturday  after  New  Year's  as  the  date  for  holding  the  first 
institute.  A  series  of  these  meetings  followed.  They  were  reported  in  the  papers 
under  the  title  of  "  Farmers'  Club  Meetings,"  and  this  organization  finally  divided  into 
the  North  and  South  Lancaster  Farmers'  Clubs,  which  have  continued  their  organiza- 
tions to  date. 

In  1887  Professor  of  Agriculture  H.  H.  Wing  read  a  paper  before  the  Nebraska 
Dairymen's  Association  on  "The  Benefit  of  Farmers'  Institutes."  This  paper  indi- 
cates a  general  interest  thruout  different  sections  of  the  State  in  the  farmers'  institute 
movement,  which  resulted  in  the  formation  of  a  number  of  institute  organizations. 
This  paper  recites  the  fact  that  at  least  four  such  institutes  were  held  in  1887,  entirely 
by  the  efforts  of  farmers  in  their  several  localities. 

Somewhat  later,  perhaps  in  1888,  Dr.  Bessey  says: 

When  I  was  acting  chancellor  of  the  university,  I  took  the  matter  up  with  Governor 
Furnas  and  we  planned  a  series  of  farmers'  institutes  to  be  held  in  different  portions  of 
the  State.  He  volunteered  to  attend  as  many  as  he  could;  Mr.  Bassett  did  the  same. 
Mr.  Stephens  of  Crete,  Mr.  Youngers  of  Geneva,  Mr.  Dinsmore  and  others  volunteered, 
and  we  held  a  good  many  institutes  beginning  with  the  winter  of  1888-89.  The  plan 
was  that  the  locality  should  pay  the  expense  of  those  who  attended.  As  far  as  possible 
we  all  secured  transportation  and  simply  asked  the  people  of  the  locality  to  see  that  we 
did  not  have  to  pay  hotel  bills.  Where  the  people  failed  to  cover  our  expenses  we 
bore  them  ourselves.  This  work  went  on  with  increasing  success  for  a  number  of  years, 
up  to  the  time  when  Prof.  F.  W.  Taylor  was  appointed  to  look  after  the  matter.  "Prof. 
C.  L.  Ingersoll  was  active  in  this  work  from  1891  to  1894. 

In  1889  a  three-day  farmers'  institute  was  held  at  Brokenbow,  Custer  County,  January 
22,  23,  and  24,  reported  in  the  annual  report  of  the  Nebraska  State  Board  of  Agriculture, 

1888. 


58 

As  a  result  of  this  agitation,  the  University  of  Nebraska,  in  April,  1896.  appointed 
Prof.  F.  W.  Taylor,  then  professor  of  horticulture,  superintendent  of  fanner.-'  insti- 
tutes, and  in  conjunction  with  the  BeveraJ  agricultural  societies  of  the  State  an  organi- 
zation was  perfected  by  which  assistance  was  given  local  organizations  in  the  holding 

dt'  farmers'  institutes.  Among  the  societies  which  thus  assisted  thru  the  efforts  of 
their  officers  were  the  State  Board  of  Agriculture,  the  State  Horticultural  Society,  the 

Stale  Dairymen's  Association,  the  Siate  Poultry  Association,  the  Improved  Live  Stock 
Breeders'  Association,  and  the  State  Bee  Keeper-'  Association.  ""Small  contributions 
from  each  of  these  organizations  constituted  a  fund  for  incidental  expenses.  Each 
association  furnished  speakers,  who  attended  institutes  upon  request  without  any  com- 
pensation and  sometimes  paying  their  incidental  expenses  en  route.  The  railroads  in 
the  State  provided  free  transportation  for  speakers  who  were  required  to  travel  to  fill 
institute  appointments." 

The  firsl  legislative  appropriation  was  made  in  L897,  $3,000  for  the  biennium  being 
appropriated  by  the  State  legislature  to  pay  the  expenses  of  farmers'  institute  work, 
which  fund  was  placed  in  charge  of  the  University  of  Nebraska.  In  1001  this  fund  was 
increased  to  S^.000  for  the  biennium.  and  in  1903  it  was  further  increased  to  S12.000 
for  the  biennium.  which  rate  still  continues. 

For  the  season  of  1899-1900  51  institutes  were  held  in  33  counties,  reaching  from 
25.000  to  30.000  farmers,  at  an  expenditure  of  $1,593,  practically  all  transportation  for 
institute  speakers  being  furnished  by  the  several  railroads  along  which  institutes  were 
held.  Thirty-eight  different  speakers  were  sent  out  by  the  central  office,  all  speakers 
from  the  university  staff  being  without  expense  to  the  institute  fund. 

The  season  of  1900-1901  opened  at  Somerset.  August  20.  1900.  and  closed  at  Thayer. 
August  8,  1901.  Sixty  institutes  were  held  in  46  counties.  21  of  these  institutes  being 
one-day  meetings  of  two  or  three  sessions,  and  39  institutes  being  two-day  meetings  hold- 
ing five  regular  sessions.  The  regular  institute  force  consisted  of  20  speakers,  of  which  7 
were  regular  members  of  the  experiment  station  staff,  the  balance  being  farmers  and 
institute  speakers  not  connected  with  the  university.  The  cost  of  theseinstituteswas 
kept  within  SI. 500  appropriated  for  institute  purposes  exclusive  of  the  salary  of  the 
superintendent  and  of  the  members  of  the  station  staff,  who  received  no  compensation 
from  the  farmers'  institute  fund.  The  attendance  for  the  year  was  pn  fbal  >ly  greater  than 
for  the  previous  year,  since  a  larger  number  of  institutes  were  held,  but  no  exact  record 
was  kept  to  determine  the  number  of  persons  attending  these  meetings. 

The  season  of  1901-2  began  October  1.  1901,  and  closed  March  29.  1902.  Eighty-six 
institutes  were  held  in  62  counties.  The  appropriation  for  this  biennium  had  been 
increased  to  S4.000  per  year,  and  S3. 882. 69  was  expended  during  the  first  year  of  the 
biennium.  Twenty-seven  institute  speakers  were  employed.  11  of  which  were  con-t 
nected  with  the  experiment  station. 
•  The  institute  season  of  1902-3  commenced  at  Dorsey.  December  2.  1902.  and  closed  at 
Amelia  June  19.  1903.  Sixty-seven  institutes  were  held  in  43  different  counties  at  a 
cost  of  $4,000,  only  S500  of  which  was  paid  for  superintendence,  the  speakers  from  the 
experiment  station,  who  this  year  made  up  about  one-third  of  the  working  force,  serving 
without  compensation  other  than  actual  expenses. 

The  farmers'  institute  season  of  190:5-4  began  November  23.  1903.  and  closed  March  24. 
1904.  Forty-three  one-day  institutes  and  49  two-day  institutes  were  held,  with  a  total  of 
330  sessions.  The  total  attendance  was  26.000.  figured  according  to  methods  advised  by 
the  Pamirs'  Institute  Specialist  of  the  United  States  Department  of  Agriculture.  Insti- 
tutes were  held  in  57  counties. 

The  State  appropriation  had  been  increased  to  S6.000  per  year  at  the  beginning  of  the 
season  1903.  Ten  men  connected  with  the  experiment  station  did  institute  work. 
Fourteen  other  lecturers  were  employed  by  the  State,  these  giving  their  entire  time  dur- 
ing the  institute  season. 


59 

The  season  of  1904-5  began  November  L8,  L904,  and  closed  March  30,  L905  One 
hundred  and  fifty  institutes  were  held,  of  which  88  were  one-day  meetings,  56  were  two- 
day  meetings,  and  6  were  more  than  two  days.  Thirty-eight  speakers  were  on  the  regular 
force  of  which  is  were  connected  with  the  experiment  station  or  the  university,  and  20 
wen-  employed  from  outside  the  university.  Institutes  were  held  in  68  counties.  Aver- 
age Dumber  of  speakers  at  each  institute,  :'>.  Eighty-two  days'  time  was  given  by  univer- 
sity men  to  this  work  and  463  days  by  other  institute  speakers.  Four  hundred  and  eighty 
sessions  were  held,  with  an  average  of  L40  people  at  each  session.  Sixty-seven  thousand, 
two  hundred  and  forty-one  people  attended  regular  farmers'  institutes.  In  addition  to 
this,  1 1 .  186  people  attended  the  various  pure-seed  specials  in  the  State  and  Listened  to 
lectures  by  members  of  the  experiment  station  force  upon  seed  corn,  seed  potatoes. ;md 
crops  adapted  to  the  western  portion  of  the  State.  Two  thousand  people  were  in  attend- 
ance at  Organized  Agriculture,  January  16-21,  inclusive,  which  was  virt  ually  a  roun<  l-up 
Lost  itute  session  altho  held  under  the  auspices  of  the  State  board  of  agricull  ureand  asso- 
ciated agricultural  societies  in  connection  with  the  annual  meeting  of  that  board. 
Altho  but  $12,000  had  been  appropriated  for  the  biennium,  the  expenses  of  this  large 
number  i  >f  inst  it  utes  somewhat  exceeded  the  balance  of  the  appropriation,  the  deficiency 
being  provided  for  by  the  payment  of  a  part  of  the  salary  of  the  superintendent  and 
assistant  superintendent  for  the  last  quarter  by  the  university  from  other  than  institute 
funds. 

During  the  seasons  of  1901-2  and  1902-3  such  notable  farmers'  institute  speakers 
as  Henry  Wallace,  of  Wallaces'  Farmer,  M.  F.  Greeley,  of  South  Dakota,  and  Mrs. 
Bertha  D.  Laws,  of  Minnesota,  took  part  in  the  work.  Joseph  E.  Wing  assisted  in  institute 
work  during  the  seasons  of  1902-3,  1903-4,  and  1904-5.  H.  P.  Miller,  of  Ohio,  assisted  in 
institute  work  during  the  season  of  1902-3;  D.  Ward  King  during  the  seasons  of  1902-3, 
1903-4,  and  1904-5.  Prof.  P.  G.  Holden,  of  Ames,  Iowa,  gave  two  or  three  lectures  on 
the  selection  of  seed  corn  before  the  farmers'  institutes  in  February,  1902,  starting  the 
seed-corn  movement  in  this  State. 

The  Nebraska  system  combines  local  and  central  organizations,  no  institute  being  held 
except  on  request,  the  community  bearing  a  part  of  the  expenses,  generally  amounting 
to  hall  rent,  local  advertising,  and  local  entertainment  of  speakers  at  hotels.  For  the 
season  of  1904-5,  65  out  of  150  institute  points  reported  their  local  expense  to  be  §1,129.23, 
or  an  average  of  $17.37  each.  This  is  probably  too  high  for  the  average  local  expense  of 
institute  points,  especially  where  court-houses  or  free  hall  rent  is  secured. 

Institute  dates  are  made  at  least  six  weeks  in  advance,  and  the  institutes  are  arranged 
in  series  covering  at  least  one  week,  the  dates  overlapping  each  other,  so  that  a  speaker 
fills  his  appointment  and  goes  on  to  the  next  point,  not  necessarily  remaining  until  the 
close  of  the  institute. 

The  subjects  of  soil  tillage,  rotation  of  crops,  and  varieties  adapted  to  a  given  locality 
are  made  prominent.  Alfalfa  growing  and  feeding  is  a  leading  subject  in  most  locali- 
ties in  the  State.  The  breeding  and  selection  of  seed  corn  has  been  made  prominent 
for  the  last  two  years.  Many  exhibits  of  corn  are  judged  by  the  corn  specialist  on  the 
institute  force.  A  number  of  corn  contests  have  been  carried  on  under  institute  man- 
agement. At  some  institute  points  the  judging  of  live  stock  is  a  part  of  the  program. 
The  subject  of  feeding  is  one  of  paramount  importance  and  is  nearly  always  discust 
in  the  corn-belt  area.  Regular  speakers  have  been  employed  to  discuss  the  care  and 
management  of  poultry,  the  rearing  of  horses,  the  care  and  management  of  swine,  the 
subject  of  soil  fertility  and  crop  rotations,  and  the  subject  of  home  making.  Lady 
speakers  axe  used,  but  practically  no  independent  women's  sessions  are  held,  except 
at  institutes  of  more  than  two  days'  duration. 

Local  organizations  have  a  president,  a  secretary,  and  treasurer,  and  a  local  com- 
mittee to  look  after  expenses  and  program. 

The  central  office  prints  about  50  posters,  sends  out  special  notices  to  from  50  to  100 
farmers  by  postal  card,  lists  being  furnished  by  the  local  secretaries,  sends  notices  of 


60 

the  institutes  to  local  papers,  and  endeavors  to  stimulate  local  interest  by  making  sug- 
gest tons  regarding  methods  of  holding  a  successful  institute. 

N<>  round-up  institute  is  held,  on  account  of  the  large  and  popular  meetings  held  by 
Organized  Agriculture  at  the  school  of  agriculture  and  the  experiment  station  the 
third  week  in  January  each  year.  All  of  the  societies  for  the  promotion  of  different, 
lines  of  agriculture  meet  at  this  time.  January  16-21,  1905,  these  societies  held  31 
different  sessions,  with  a  total  attendance  exceeding  2,000,  and  with  a  program  contain- 
ing many  notable  men  connected  with  the  development  of  agriculture  in  other  States. 
A  report  of  this  meeting  is  to  be  found  in  the  annual  report  of  the  Nebraska  State  Board 
of  Agriculture. 

The  farmers'  institute  movement  in  the  State  has  always  been  materially  assisted 
l>v  the  various  railroads,  which  furnish  transportation  for  farmers'  institute  speakers 
upon  request  of  the  central  office.  The  transportation  thus  received  amounts  to  about 
$2,000  per  annum  if  purchased  at  current  rates. 

In  addition  to  assisting  the  farmers'  institute  movement,  the  railroads  during  the 
season  of  1905  ran  special  pure-seed  trains  over  several  thousand  miles  of  railroad, 
reaching  41,886  people  along  their  several  lines. 

The  director  of  the  experiment  station  is  superintendent  of  farmers'  institutes,  hav- 
ing in  charge  only  the  general  features  of  the  work.  The  superintendent  of  the  experi- 
ment substation  at  North  Platte,  Nebr.,  Mr.  W.  P.  Snyder,  is  assistant  superintendent 
of  institutes  in  charge  of  all  the  details  of  institute  work.  The  great  increase  in  the 
number  and  interest  in  farmers'  institutes  for  the  season  of  1904-5  is  due  to  his  personal 
efforts  and  energy  in  promoting  this  work.  It  is  apparent  that  the  farmers'  institute 
work  has  become  so  large  in  Nebraska  that  it  can  not  be  properly  carried  on  without 
the  continuous  time  and  energy  of  a  superintendent  being  given  to  this  work. 

The  legislature  appropriated  $12,000  for  farmers'  institutes  for  the  biennium,  which 
became  available  April,  1905.  For  the  first  time  this  appropriation  is  drawn  on  the 
general  fund  of  the  State  and  is  not  charged  against  the  university  appropriation,  altho 
it  remains  under  control  of  the  regents. 

The  legislature  also  past  a  bill  which  became  operative  July  1,  1905,  authorizing 
the  board  of  county  commissioners  of  any  county  to  defray  the  local  expenses  con- 
nected with  farmers'  institutes  in  said  county  under  conditions  which  they  might 
prescribe. 

NEVADA. 

The  first  farmers'  institute  in  Nevada  was  held  December  13  and  14,  1901,  at  Elko, 
under  the  direction  of  the  staff  of  the  Nevada  Agricultural  Experiment  Station. 
Besides  the  members  of  the  staff  of  the  experiment  station  there  were  present  also,  as 
lecturers,  Miss  Kate  Bardenwerper,  of  the  department  of  domestic  science,  and  J.  M. 
Wilson,  of  the  University  of  California.  Dr.  W.  R.  Dennis,  Government  stock  inspector, 
was  also  on  the  program  of  speakers.  The  opening  address  was  given  by  George  S. 
Brown.  C.  B.  Henderson  delivered  an  address  on  agricultural  colleges.  Both  of  these 
lectures  were  of  exceptional  value. 

The  importance  of  having  the  first  institute  meeting  a  success  was  appreciated  by  the 
members  of  the  experiment  station.  The  weather  was  quite  cold,  and  there  was  fear 
that  it  would  prove  unfavorable  to  attendance.  Thanks  largely  to  the  efforts  of  Regent 
W.  W.  Booher,  of  the  university,  the  institute  was  fully  as  good  as  could  have  been 
expected.  Among  the  subjects  discust  were:  The  composition  of  feeds;  The  San 
Jose  scale  and  the  codling  moth;  how  to  prevent  the  spread  of  infectious  cattle  dis- 
eases; the  value  of  domestic  science  in  education;  what  man  has  accomplished  with 
plants  and  animals;  the  alfalfa  cutworm;  irrigation;  beneficial  bacteria;  home  dairy- 
ing; methods  of  stock  inspection;  and  nature  study  in  home  and  school. 

There  were  about  forty  farmers  in  attendance  at  the  various  sessions  of  the  institute. 
The  lectures  upon  domestic  science,  given  by  Miss  Bardenwerper,  were  attended  by 


61 

about  sixty  ladies  from  Elko  and  vicinity.  The  evening  meetinge  were  composed  of 
mixt  audiences,  numbering  about  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  persons.  At  the 
close  of  the  institute  the  members  of  the  station  staff  felt  gratified  at  the  interest  mani- 
fested and  were  confident  thai  they  had  begun  a  work  that  would  increase  in  interest 
and  beneficial  effects  thruout  the  years  to  cgme. 

A  committee,  consisting  of  Z.  T.Hardesty,  Thomas  Eunter,  George  Russell,  George 
S.  Brown,  and  William  Smiley,  made  up  a  report  of  the  meeting  expressive  of  their 
appreciation  of  what  had  been  undertaken,  congratulating  the  experiment  station 
staff  and  the  teaching  force  of  the  university  upon  the  excellent  work  that  they  had 
accomplished. 

During  the  winter  of  1902-3  institutes  were  held  at  Elko,  Lovelock,  and  Gardner- 
ville.  The  lecture  force  was  composed  of  members  of  the  agricultural  experiment 
station  staff  under  the  leadership  of  the  vice-director. 

Four  institute  sessions  were  held  at  Elko,  and  about  forty  people  were  in  regular 
attendance  during  the  day.  while  the  evening  session  numbered  about  one  hundred. 
The  interest  manifested  was  all  that  could  be  desired,  and  the  lectures  were  highly 
appreciated.  At  Lovelock  three  sessions  were  held,  with  an  attendance  of  about 
eighty  persons.  At  Gardnerville  three  sessions  were  also  held,  but  the  interest  mani- 
fested was  not  as  satisfactory  as  at  the  other  two  points.  The  attendance  averaged 
about  sixty  persons. 

Encouraged  by  their  experience  in  holding  farmers'  institutes  during  the  previous 
two  years,  the  experiment  station  staff  planned  to  hold  institute  meetings  during  the 
winter  of  1903-4  in  nine  different  sections  of  the  State.  Somewhat  to  their  disap- 
pointment, only  four  places  made  application  for  meetings — Elko,  Glendale,  Huffakers, 
and  Franktown.  Institutes  were  held  at  all  of  these  points  with  quite  encouraging 
results.  The  topics  discust  were  dairying,  irrigation,  injurious  insects,  diseases  of 
animals,  stock  judging,  how  to  grow  hothouse  plants,  and  how  to  cook  and  sew.  Three 
of  the  institutes  were  one-day  and  the  one  held  at  Elko  was  a  two-day  institute.  The 
lectures  were  given  by  the  members  of  the  station  staff,  except  that  Miss  Bardenwerper, 
of  the  agricultural  and  mechanical  college,  gave  a  number  of  lectures  on  domestic 
science.  The  advertising  was  by  means  of  newspapers  and  handbills,  notice  being 
given  of  the  institutes  from  two  to  four  weeks  in  advance. 

The  rich  mines  that  are  being  discovered  in  the  southern  part  of  the  State  are  adding 
thousands  to  its  population  each  year.  This  means  increased  demand  for  agricultural 
products  of  all  kinds.  The  institute  is  endeavoring  to  introduce  general  farming  among 
the  ranchmen  and  thus  provide  for  supplying  the  demand  in  the  home  markets  for 
agricultural  products. 

Agriculture  in  Nevada  is,  for  the  most  part,  in  its  elementary  stage.  The  soil  is  still 
productive  and  the  farmers  and  ranchers,  as  a  rule,  have  not  yet  come  to  realize  the  need 
of  giving  special  attention  to  the  scientific  side  of  their  occupation.  The  institute,  it 
is  believed,  will  gradually  develop  increased  interest  in  advanced  agriculture  and 
bring  about  a  better  appreciation  of  the  work  of  the  university  and  of  the  experiment 
station  in  their  efforts  to  advance  the  agricultural  interests  of  the  State. 

NEW   HAMPSHIRE. 

The  public  statutes  of  New  Hampshire  require  the  secretary  of  the  board  of  agricul- 
ture "to  make  arrangements  for  giving  public  notice  of,  and,  if  possible,  personally 
attend,  the  farmers'  meetings  authorized  by  the  board."  Under  this  general  authority 
farmers'  institutes  have  been  organized  and  conducted. 

The  first  organized  agricultural  society  in  the  State  of  which  we  have  an  account 
originated  in  the  county  of  Rockingham  as  early  as  1814.  We  find  a  record  on  the  jour- 
nals of  the  legislature  of  that  year,  when  a  charter  was  granted.  It  probably  had  its  cen- 
tral point  at  the  then  important  town  of  Chester,  or  possibly  at  Exeter.     A  little  later 


62 

Cheshire  and  Rockingham  counties  formed  societies.  In  1817  a  small  appropriation  of 
$100  each  was  made  by  the  legislature  to  encourage  the  two  societies.  Hillsboro  and. 
Strafford  counties  each  organized  and  received  charters  in  1817.  Grafton  and  Coos 
quickly  followed.  In  1819  and  1820  each  county  in  tin-  State  had  helped  to  form  agri- 
cultural societies, held  fairs, and  received  aid  from  the  State.  Up  to  1820  the  appro- 
priation varied  from  SJ00  to  SUM)  each,  and  in  all  $3,000  had  been  expended  by  the 
State. 

In  accordance  with  the  recommendation  of  Governor  Bell  in  1820  a  board  of  agricul- 
ture was  created  by  the  State,  consisting  of  a  president  and  a  delegate  from  each  society. 
In  L82]  a  board  of  twelve  members  was  organized  and  William  Badger  was  chosen  presi- 
dent and  Matthew  Harvey  secretary.  Only  one  report  was  ever  written  and  that 
largely  by  Rev.  Humphrey  Moore,  of  Milford,  in  1822. 

About  1850  the  New  Hampshire  State  Agricultural  Society  was  formed,  its  purpose 
being  to  improve  the  agriculture  of  the  State,  and  for  ten  years  it  published  reports  at 
the  expense  of  the  State  and  held  agricultural  fairs  that  were  well  attended.  Such 
nun  as  Daniel  Webster,  Hon.  Edward  Everett,  and  Marshall  P.  Wilder  were  orators  on 
those  occasions. 

It  was  not  until  August  23,  1870.  that  both  branches  of  the  legislature  by  unanimous 
vote  created  the  State  board  of  agriculture,  composed,  as  it  is  to-day.  of  one  member  from 
each  of  the  ten  counties.  The  governor  and  council  appointed  the  following  members: 
Merrimac  County.  Moses  Humphrey,  of  Concord;  Belknap  County.  Thomas  J.  Whip- 
ple, of  Laconia;  Hillsboro  County,  James  0.  Adams,  of  Manchester:  Cheshire  County. 
Sampson  W.  Buffum.  of  Winchester:  Carroll  County.  W.  H.  H.  Mason,  of  Moultonboro; 
Grafton  County,  Luther  B.  Hoskins,  of  Lyman:  Strafford  County.  Charles  Jones,  of 
Milton;  Rockingham  County.  Joseph  F.  Lawrence,  of  Epping:  Coos  County.  Nathan 
R.  Perkins,  of  Jefferson;  Sullivan  County.  Edward  H.  Brown,  of  Croydon.  The  first 
meeting  was  held  Tuesday,  August  23,  1870,  and  Hon.  Moses  Humphrey  was  chosen 
chairman  and  James  O.  Adams  secretary. 

The  first  public  meeting  or  farmers'  institute  held  by  the  State  board  was  at  Concord, 
November  29  and  30.  1870.  A  number  of  other  meetings  followed  at  various  points  in 
the  State  during  the  winter,  and  for  several  years  such  gatherings  held  by  the  State 
board  of  agriculture  were  called  •public  meetings."  but  they  did  not  differ  materially 
from  the  meetings  which  are  now  generally  known  as  farmers"  institutes.  In  announc- 
ing these  meetings,  the  term  •'institutes"  was  not  used  in  New  Hampshire  until  1887. 
Since  that  date  institutes  have  been  held  each  year  in  the  different  counties  and 
reports  of  their  proceedings  published  annually. 

During  1904  18  institutes  were  held,  composed  of  38  sessions;  3.400  people  were  in 
attendance,  and  16  lecturers  were  upon  the  State  corps  of  instructors,  four  of  whom 
were  from  the  faculty  of  the  agricultural  college  and  from  the  staff  of  the  agricultural 
experiment  station.  The  total  expense  was  f  1,588,  all  of  which  was  appropriated  1  y 
the  State  board  of  agriculture  from  the  general  funds  received  from  the  State  for  inst  - 
tute  purposes.  Local  arrangements  for  holding  institutes  are  made  by  the  secretary  <  if 
the  board  with  Grange  organizations,  farmers'  clubs,  and  agricultural  and  horticultural 
societies.  The  reports  of  the  proceedings  are  annually  published.  During  1904.  2.000 
copies  of  these  reports  were  distributed. 

NEW   JERSEY. 

The  New  Jersey  State  Board  of  Agriculture  was  organized  and  established  by  a  law 

enacted  in  1872.  This  law.  with  its  later  amendments,  made  provision  for  auxiliary 
organizations,  such  as  county  boards  of  agriculture,  granges,  and  local  farmers'  clubs. 
The  last-named  organizations  have  been  in  the  habit  of  holding  a  number  of  meetings 
each  year  for  the  discussion  of  matters  relating  to  the  improvement  of  farm  stock,  culti- 
vation of  the  soil,  application  of  manure,  commercial  fertilizers  (their  composition 
and  use),  fruit  production,  etc. 


63 

Thus  these  meetings  assumed,  to  a  limited  degree,  something  of  the  institute  charac- 
ter. The  original  law  provided  for  Lectures  before  the  State  board  at  its  annual  or  other 
meetings,  bul  ii  did  doI  empower  the  executive  committee  to  provide  for  lectun  -  in 
the  counties  under  the  auspices  of  the  State  board  of  agriculture. 

In  L890  Secretary  Dye  secured  an  amendmenl  to  the  old  law,  which  was  approved 
March  .".I  of  thai  year,  empowering  the  executive  committee  to  employ  lecturers  in  the 
counties  of  the  State.  Under  thai  enactmenl  and  from  thai  date  to  the  presenl  a  series 
of  fanners'  institutes  for  each  year  has  been  arranged  and  conducted  thruoul  the  State, 
beginning,  usually,  in  the  month  of  November  and  closing  in  February.  These 
annual  series  include  the  yearly  meeting  of  the  State  board,  which  occurs  about  the 
middle  of  January  and  covers  a  period  of  three  days  with  two  evening  sessions. 

While  lectures  on  agricultural  topics  had  been  given  in  a  number  of  the  counties  at 
the  county  hoards  of  agriculture  and  farmers'  club  meetings  as  early  as  1875,  the  organ- 
ized lecture  work  under  the  name  of  farmers'  institutes  and  under  State  supervision 
was  not  inaugurated  until  1890.  as  stated  above. 

The  development  of  this  work  has  been  gradual,  but  prejudices  in  some  localities 
against  this  sort  of  agricultural  instruction  had  to  be  met  and  overcome.  The  true 
purpose  and  meaning  of  the  institute  must  be  clearly  set  forth  and  understood  and 
its  possible  value  to  the  farmer,  his  family,  and  his  business  demonstrated  beyond  a 
reasonable  doubt.  These  results  have  been  largely  attained,  but  further  develop- 
ment is  needful,  not  only  in  New  Jersey  but  elsewhere,  if  the  institute  is  to  meet  the 
new,  ever-recurring  questions  as  they  appear. 

In  Xew  Jersey  the  scientific  and  practical  are  placed  side  by  side  on  the  institute 
platform.  The  theories  and  teachings  of  the  scientist  that  have  been  applied  in 
practise  are  given  to  the  farmer  with  his  methods  and  results. 

The  farmers'  institutes  in  Xew  Jersey  consist  of  three,  four,  and  five  sessions,  cover- 
ing one  and  two  days  in  a  given  locality,  as  occasion  seems  to  demand.  It  is  the  aim 
to  hold  at  least  one  institute  in  each  agricultural  county,  but  in  some  counties  three 
and  occasionally  four  have  been  held. 

The  amount  of  money  available  from  the  State  for  this  work  approximates  $2,000 
annually.  This  is  expended  for  printing  and  lectures.  Halls  for  meetings  must  be 
furnished  free  by  the  locality  requesting  an  institute. 

While  the  aim  is  to  secure  from  time  to  time  the  best  workers  from  adjacent 
States,  the  State  agricultural  college  and  experiment  station  force  is  also  freely  drawn 
on.  In  addition  to  these  are  a  number  of  progressive,  thinking  farmers  thruout  the 
State  who  study  their  business  and  can  state  with  clearness  their  experience  on  what- 
ever line  of  farming  they  may  be  following. 

By  such  a  selection  of  speakers  it  is  found  practicable  to  treat  most  subjects  of  im- 
portance with  a  comprehensiveness  not  otherwise  possible. 

There  is  not  much  machinery.  The  advertising  is  by  postal  card  and  press  notice 
first,  later  by  a  program  of  subjects,  directed  to  such  persons  as  are  specially  desired 
to  attend  the  meeting.  Two  weeks  before  the  institute  large  posters  are  put  up  in 
the  neighborhood  by  the  local  committee. 

The  plan  is  to  reach  as  many  farmers  as  possible  with  the  money  at  the  disposal  of 
the  board,  and  to  adapt  the  addresses  and  discussions  to  such  matters  as  are  of  chief 
interest  to  the  farmers  in  localities  visited. 

Altho  Xew  Jersey  is  not  large  territorially,  her  agricultural  industries  vary  greatly. 
She  requires  a  larger  list  of  subjects  and  addresses  on  more  varied  lines  than  any 
other  area  of  similar  size. 

There  is  no  printed  report  of  the  institute  proceedings.  Occasionally  arrange- 
ments are  made  to  have  an  institute  speaker  recast  his  institute  addresses  into  a  single 
lecture  and  deliver  it  at  the  annual  State  meeting.  This  address  is  printed  in  the 
annual  report  of  the  State  board  of  agriculture  and  has  wide  circulation. 


64 

While  the  old  branches  of  agriculture  are  discust,  attention  is  also  given  to  special 
industries  in  the  different  localities.  Some  general  questions  of  great  importance  to 
farmers  have  been  made  leading  topics  in  the  institutes — the  question  of  soils,  their 
origin,  constituents,  requirements,  adaptation  to  different  crops,  etc.;  then.  too.  the 
subject  of  forage  crops  for  the  dairy,  how  to  produce,  their  feeding  value,  when  and 
how  to  harvest,  etc.:  the  cost  of  dairying  as  now  conducted  with  a  view  to  exposing 
defects  in  breeding,  feeding,  and  general  management,  where  they  may  be  found  to 
exist,  in  hope  of  showing  a  way  to  increase  the  profits. 

The  seed  has  taken  root  and  already  fruit  appears.  The  desire  is  that  the  work  may 
be  progressive,  practical,  and  helpful. 

NEW  MEXICO. 

The  first  institute  was  held  January  2-4.  1896,  at  the  agricultural  college,  Mesilla 
Park,  under  the  auspices  of  the  agricultural  experiment  station  staff,  with  Director 
S.  P.  McCrea  as  chairman.  Morning  and  afternoon  sessions  were  fully  occupied  with 
papers  and  discussions  by  the  station  staff  and  other  local  speakers.  Four  of  the 
papers  presented  were  by  ladies.  There  was  an  average  attendance  of  twenty-five  at 
each  session. 

A  second  and  similar  institute  was  held  at  the  college  January  4-6.  1897.  Director 
C.  T.  Jordan  presided.     The  average  attendance  at  each  session  was  about  thirty. 

Xo  more  institutes  were  held  until  the  spring  of  1903.  after  the  election  of  Luther 
Foster  as  director  of  the  station. 

During  January,  February,  and  March,  1903.  three  one-day  institutes  of  two  sessions 
each  were  held  at  Las  Cruces,  under  the  auspices  of  a  local  committee.  The  first  was 
devoted  to  alfalfa  and  irrigation  by  pumping;  the  second  to  fruit  growing,  small 
farming,  and  truck  gardening;  and  the  third  to  live  stock.  Director  Foster  pre- 
sided at  each  of  these  and  the  papers  were  presented  and  discust  by  members  of  the 
station  staff  and  other  local  speakers. 

On  March  3.  1903,  an  institute,  with  afternoon  and  evening  sessions,  was  held  at 
Carlsbad.  Three  members  of  the  experiment  station  staff  were  in  attendance  and 
presented  papers,  the  other  speakers  being  local.  This  institute  was  held  under  the 
auspices  of  a  local  committee. 

On  March  4  and  5  the  same  members  of  the  station  staff  attended  an  institute  of  five 
sessions  at  Roswell.  These  meetings  had  been  arranged  for  by  the  local  horticultural 
society. 

An  institute  was  held  at  Cloudcroft,  on  the  summit  of  the  Sacramento  Mountains, 
on  October  30  and  31,  1903.  The  station  was  represented  by  Director  Foster  and  two 
other  members  of  the  staff,  and  the  El  Paso  (Tex.)  Chamber  of  Commerce  was  also 
represented  by  its  president  and  two  members.  There  were  three  sessions  at  which 
papers  were  presented  and  discust  by  the  members  of  the  station  staff,  representa- 
tives of  the  chamber  of  commerce,  and  local  speakers.  Among  the  topics  discust, 
roads  and  markets  received  especial  attention.     A  local  institute  was  organized. 

Three  one-day  institutes,  of  two  sessions  each,  were  held  at  Las  Cruces  during  January 
and  February.  1904.  under  the  direction  of  the  Mesilla"  Valley  Chamber  of  Commerce. 
All  members  of  the  station  staff  participated  and  a  number  of  other  local  speakers. 
At  one  of  these  institutes  the  Spanish  language  only  was  used. 

There  have  been  no  special  appropriations  for  institute  work  and  the  expenses  of 
the  station  men  engaged  in  this  work  have  been  paid  out  of  the  funds  of  the  institu- 
tion. It  is  hoped  that  the  next  legislature  will  make  a  special  appropriation  for 
institute  work,  so  that  it  can  be  extended  and  placed  on  a  permanent  basis. 

NEW   YORK. 

The  farmers'  institutes  in  Xew  York  State  as  now  organized  grew  out  of  the  demand 
among  the  old  farmers'  clubs,  more  than  a  dozen  of  which  were  organized  over  one 
hundred  years  ago.  for  speakers  who  were  posted  on  the  science  of  agriculture.     For 


65 

something  over  fifty  years  Buch  speakers  had  been  furnished  by  the  State  agricultural 
society,  and  since  the  establishment  of  the  college  of  agriculture  at  Cornell  University 
in  18G8  and  th<>  establishment  of  the  State  agricultural  experiment  station  at  <  reneva 
a  few  years  later  the  workers  at  these  i  wo  institutions  have  been  heavily  called  upon. 

The  first  move  toward  the  establishment  of  the  presenl  system  of  institutes  was 
begun  in  1885,  when  Prof.  I.  P.  Roberts,  of  Cornell  University,  and  Mr.  J.  S.  Woodward, 
of  Lockport,  decided  that  it  was  possible  to  hold  a  meeting  of  farmers  from  all  pari-  of 
the  State  to  consider  and  discuss  subjects  of  vital  interest  to  them.  Alter  consultat  ion 
with  President  Adams,  of  Cornell  University,  such  a  meeting  was  called  to  be  held  in 
Morrill  Hall  February  16,  17,  and  18,  1886.  Both  Professor  Roberts  and  Mr.  Woodward 
were  tireless  in  their  efforts  to  advertise  this  meeting  thoroly^ind  make  it  a  success, 
and  the  result  far  exceeded  their  most  sanguine  expectations.  Over  100  names 
appeared  on  the  register  of  persons  attending  the  institute,  not  only  from  New  York, 
but  from  adjoining  States,  and  at  most  of  the  sessions  between  200  and  300  people  were 
present,  so  that  after  the  first  session  the  meeting  had  to  adjourn  to  Library  Hall,  in 
Ithaca.  The  meeting  consisted  of  6  sessions  and  18  addresses,  "some  of  which  were 
longer  than  the  management  expected,"  which  seriously  interfered  with  the  time 
desired  for  discussion,  altho  the  audience  entered  into  the  spirit  of  the  meeting  and,  so  far 
as  time  allowed,  the  subjects  were  discust  very  freely.  At  the  close  of  the  meeting 
all  declared  that  the  first  institute  in  New  York  State  was  a  success,  and  it  was 
decided  that  such  a  meeting  "should  be  held  every  year." 

A  more  important  resolution  adopted,  however,  was  one  asking  the  New  York  State 
Agricultural  Society,  which  was  then  the  center  around  which  all  agricultural  work 
in  the  State  rotated,  "to  undertake  the  work  of  holding  a  limited  number  of  farmers' 
institutes  the  next  winter,  and,  in  case  they  refused,  to  petition  the  legislature  for  a 
State  department  of  agriculture  to  carry  on  this  work." 

Another  important  resolution  past  at  this  meeting  was  in  regard  to  the  establish- 
ment by  law  of  a  State  board  of  agriculture,  similar  to  such  boards  in  other  States, 
and  a  committee  of  ten  was  appointed  to  consider  this  subject.  This  idea,  however, 
was  never  accepted  by  the  State  legislature,  as  New  York's  policy  is  to  concentrate 
responsibility  in  one  central  head  instead  of  in  boards,  the  wisdom  of  which  has 
clearly  been  demonstrated  since  the  establishment  of  the  department  of  agriculture  in 
1893. 

When  the  question  of  their  undertaking  to  hold  farmers'  institutes  was  first  presented 
to  the  State  agricultural  society,  a  large  number  of  the  most  influential  members 
were  strongly  opposed  to  attempting  the  experiment.  After  a  long  and  strenuous 
session,  however,  thru  the  zealous  efforts  of  a  few  who  saw  the  possibilities  of  the 
institute  movement,  the  majority  decided  to  make  the  trial,  and  at  a  meeting  of  the 
executive  board  held  in  Utica  in  September,  1886,  it  was  decided  to  hold  at  least 
three  institutes  that  winter,  and  $1,050  was  appropriated  from  the  funds  of  the  society 
for  this  purpose.  A  committee  consisting  of  James  McCann,  president  of  the  society; 
T.  S.  Harison,  secretary;  Maj.  Henry  E.  Alvord,  and  J.  S.  Woodward  was  appointed 
to  look  after  this  work. 

At  the  annual  meeting  of  the  society  in  1887,  largely  because  of  the  strong  advocacy 
of  the  institute  work  and  his  untiring  efforts  to  make  these  meetings  a  success,  J.  S. 
Woodward  was  elected  secretary,  and  from  that  time  until  1890  was  practically  director 
of  farmers'  institutes  in  Nqw  York  State,  acting  under  the  direction  of  an  institute 
committee.  To  him  more  than  to  any  other  one  man  is  due  the  great  success  of  these 
early  institute  meetings. 

After  careful  planning  the  institute  committee  found  that  they  could  hold  five 
institutes  during  the  winter  of  1887  with  the  money  at  their  disposal.  All  these 
meetings  were  very  largely  attended  and  great  interest  was  shown  in  the  addresses 
and  discussions.  At  the  first  one,  at  Lockport,  farmers  from  the  entire  western  por- 
tion of  the  State  were  present,  while  the  other  meetings  drew  from  as  large  a  territory. 
11797— No.  174—06 5 


66 

At  this  time  the  aid  of  Josiah  K.  Brown,  the  first  dairy  commissioner  in  New  York 
State,  was  of  untold  value.  Thru  the  organization  of  the  dairy  department  local 
interest  was  awakened  and  a  close  connection  between  this  department  and  the 
institutes  gave  them  a  standing  with  the  State  administrators,  which  was  especially 
valuable  when  the  question  of  direct  appropriations  came  up.  Among  others  who 
should  be  mentioned  as  lending  their  encouragement  at  this  time  are  James  McCann, 
of  Elmira;  Hezekiah  Bowen,  of  Medina;  F.  D.  Curtis,  of  Charlton,  who  perhaps  did  as 
much  as  any  other  man  to  popularize  the  meetings  with  the  masses;  Prof.  I.  P.  Roberts, 
of  Cornell  University;  Dr.  E.  Lewis  Sturtevant,  who  was  then  head  of  the  State  experi- 
ment station  at  Geneva;  Maj.  Henry  E.  Alvord,  who  was  at  that  time  located  at  Hough- 
ton farm,  in  Orange  County;  John  J.  Thomas,  of  Union  Springs;  W.  Judson  Smith  and 
E.  A.  Powell,  of  Syracuse,  beside  many  others  who  were  connected  with  the  State 
experiment  station  and  the  college  of  agriculture,  as  well  as  agricultural  workers 
from  adjoining  States.  The  influence  and  ability  of  these  men  had  much  to  do  in 
laying  the  foundation  of  the  present  success. 

The  great  demand  for  meetings  in  all  parts  of  the  State  and  the  great  success  of  this 
first  series  led  the  agricultural  society  to  petition  the  legislature  for  an  appropriation 
to  carry  on  this  work.  The  legislature  saw  the  reasonableness  of  the  request,  and  in 
March,  1887,  past  the  Wemple  bill,  appropriating  "  86,000  to  be  used  by  the  New  York 
State  Agricultural  Society  in  holding  farmers'  institutes  in  various  parts  of  the  State." 
This  was  the  first  State  appropriation  for  farmers'  institutes  in  New  York,  and  it 
enabled  the  society  to  hold  20  institutes  during  the  winter  of  1887-88  and  about  40 
the  following  year. 

As  the  institutes  became  better  known  and  more  widely  distributed  over  the  State 
more  farmers  realized  the  benefit  to  be  derived  from  them,  and  it  was  soon  found  that 
the  $6,000  appropriated  was  wholly  inadequate  to  carry  on  the  work,  and  the  legis- 
lature of  1890  increased  the  appropriation  to  $10,000.  In  1892  it  was  again  increased 
to  $15,000  and  in  1898  to  $20,000.  Altho  the  demands  upon  the  director  have  increased 
continually  and  a  larger  number  of  applications  are  received  each  year,  no  request  for 
an  increased  appropriation  has  been  asked  for,  altho  the  number  of  meetings  could  be 
doubled  and  held  successfully. 

In  January,  1891,  Mr.  Woodward's  health  broke  under  the  strain  and  he  was  obliged 
to  give  up  the  institute  work.  The  agricultural  society  selected  George  T.  Powell  to 
have  charge  of  the  meetings  in  his  place.  Mr.  Powell  carried  on  the  work  most  sat- 
isfactorily until  the  organization  of  the  State  department  of  agriculture  in  1893. 
During  his  term  as  director  about  100  institutes  were  held  each  year.  He  introduced 
many  attractive  features,  among  them  being  special  horse-breeders'  meetings,  which 
were  largely  attended.  The  subject  of  introducing  the  study  of  natural  sciences  as 
applied  to  agriculture  in  our  public  schools  had  a  prominent  place  on  the  programs 
and  was  widely  discust.  In  many  places  it  was  not  .received  graciously,  and  the 
change  in  the  attitude  of  people  toward  this  line  of  work  is  very  marked. 

In  April,  1893,  Governor  Flower  signed  what  is  known  as  "the  agricultural  law," 
which  created  a  State  department  of  agriculture,  with  a  commissioner  of  agriculture 
appointed  by  the  governor  at  its  head,  this  taking  the  place  of  the  State  dairy  depart- 
ment and  to  a  very  great  extent  bringing  all  of  the  agricultural  work  of  the  State  under 
the  management  of  one  man.  Under  the  provisions  of  this  law  the  institutes,  which 
had  heretofore  been  in  charge  of  the  State  agricultural  society,  were  taken  from  it  and 
placed  in  the  department  of  agriculture,  the  law  providing  that  the  "  commissioner  of 
agriculture  may  appoint  a  director  of  farmers'  institutes."  There  was  also  an  item  in 
the  appropriation  bill  providing  "that  the  funds  should  be  paid  out  on  the  audit  of  the 
commissioner  of  agriculture."  While  the  wisdom  of  making  this  change  was  ques- 
tioned at  the  time,  results  have  shown  that  the  State's  action  was  wise. 

Under  the  provisions  of  this  law,  in  February,  1893,  Fred.  C.  Schraub,  then  commis- 
sioner of  agriculture,  appointed  George  A.  Smith,  who  was  one  of  the  State  cheese 


67 

inspectors  and  who  had  been  a  very  acceptable  lecturer  at  the  institutes  upon  dairy 
subjects,  as  director  of  institutes,  and  he  filled  the  office  for  three  years.  During  Mr. 
Smith's  term  of  office  the  number  of  meetings  was  largely  increased  thru  holding  what 
are  known  as  "lap-over"  meetings,  the  force  being  divided  between  two  institutes 

held  in  towns  easy  of  access.  While  this  system  allows  the  holding  of  many  more 
meetings,  it  is  not  as  successful  as  it  appears  on  its  face,  from  the  fact  thai  the  Bpeakers 
do  not  gel  in  dose  enough  touch  with  the  audiences  and  are  overworked  to  bu<  h  an 
extent  that  they  are  unable  to  do  their  best. 

In  1890  C.  A.  Wieting  appointed  F.  E.  Dawley,  the  present  director.  Mr.  Dawley 
had  been  connected  with  the  institute  work  since  1889,  and  was  thoroly  familiar 
with  the  agriculture  of  the  various  sections  of  the  State.  He  had  made  a  close  study 
of  the  soils  and  crops  in  the  different  counties,  and  with  his  large  acquaintance  was 
able  to  place  speakers  and  subjects  very  acceptably.  He  inaugurated  a  system  of 
advertising,  furnishing  not  only  printed  programs,  but  attractive  colored  posters,  and 
sent  out  bulletins  calling  attention  to  the  institute  work  and  to  the  subjects  under  dis- 
cussion. He  took  particular  pains  to  interest  the  women  who  were  in  attendance  and 
organized  a  corps  of  women  speakers.  The  various  farmers'  organizations  of  the  State 
were  interested  as  they  never  had  been  before,  and  the  officers  of  the  various  organiza- 
tions were  brought  together  and  made  acquainted.  Many  petty  strifes  were  adjusted, 
as  these  men  came  to' realize  that  they  were  all  interested  in  the  betterment  of  the 
State's  agriculture,  and  a  very  close  union  of  the  State's  agricultural  interests  has 
resulted.  The  institutes  have  greatly  benefited  from  all  this  and  the  attendance  and 
interest  increased. 

Thru  lectures  on  our  common  school  system  a  renewed  interest  has  been  awakened 
in  our  rural  schools,  and  the  assistance  of  the  State  department  of  public  instruction 
has  been  asked  and  granted  to  such  an  extent  that  at  nearly  every  institute  held  during 
the  winter  of  1903-4  a  representative  of  this  department  has  been  present  and  addrest 
the  meeting  on  school  subjects.  In  many  instances  the  school  children  have  been 
invited  in  and  the  speakers  have  attempted  to  make  their  remarks  interesting  to  them, 
touching  upon  bird,  animal,  and  vegetable  life  in  such  terms  as  are  readily  under- 
stood. 

Some  ten  years  ago  an  effort  was  made  to  interest  the  farmers  in  good  roads,  but  the 
speakers  selected  were  not  acceptable  and  the  movement  probably  received  a  setback 
from  their  radical  recommendations.  Under  Mr.  Dawley's  directorship  this  subject 
has  again  been  taken  up  and  at  nearly  every  meeting  is  advocated  and  discust.  The 
speakers  are  made  thoroly  familiar  with  road  laws  and  the  results  in  sections  wdiere 
they  have  been  in  operation  and  the  antagonism  to  the  good-road  movement  is  reduced 
to  a  minimum.  The  State  engineer's  office  has  furnished  a  speaker  at  many  of  the 
meetings,  who  has  proved  very  acceptable. 

The  use  of  the  stereopticon  has  been  developed  to  a  very  great  extent  for  the  evening 
lectures  and  has  been  a  most  successful  educational  feature. 

Nowhere  has  the  poultry  interest  been  so  thoroly  advocated  as  in  New  York,  a 
speaker  on  this  subject  having  been  in  attendance  at  practically  every  meeting  held 
since  1894,  and  the  great  advance  in  this  industry  in  the  State  shows  the  result. 

The  present  director  has  taken  advantage  of  the  strength  of  all  the  agricultural  organi- 
zations in  the  State  to  increase  the  attendance  at  the  institutes,  greatly  to  the  benefit 
of  both  the  organizations  and  the  meetings.  For  some  reason  or  other  many  of  these 
organizations  were  at  low  ebb  in  1896.  The  annual  meeting  of  the  State  Dairymen's 
Association  of  the  winter  before  was  so  poorly  attended  that  it  was  held  in  the  parlor 
of  a  hotel.  The  next  winter  the  director  furnished  speakers,  which  gave  one  of  the  best 
dairy  programs  rendered  at  any  institute  held  in  the  East,  and  the  attendance  was 
about  300.  Every  effort  has  been  made  to  make  this  program  attractive  up  to  the 
present  time,  until  last  winter  over  1,400  people  were  present  at  the  meeting.  The 
various  horticultural,  poultry,  and  bee-keepers'  societies  have  been  assisted  in  the 


68 

same  way  with  marked  m 
the  interest  wan-ants  it.  four  having  been  held  the  past  winter,  while  seven  special 
bee-keepers'  inetitutee  were  held  in  counties  where  this  industry  is  carried  on.  In 
certain  sections  of  the  State  the  institutes  deal  almost  entirely  with  dairy  subjects,  in 
another  section  with  horticultural  subjects,  while  in  another  they  will  treat  of  market 
gardening  and  the  growing  of  vegetables. 

The  demand  by  the  farmers  for  experts  and  specialists  along  these  different  lines  is 
increasing  each  year,  and  it  is  probable  that  many  more  special  meetings  will  be  held 
the  coming  winter  than  were  held  last  year.  The  present  director.  F.  E.  Dawley. 
aims  to  secure  the  best  men  available  for  institute  lecturers,  and  does  not  hesitate  to 
drop  a  man  immediately  if  he  proves  incompetent,  irrespective  of  the  influence 
behind  him.  The  director  is  thoroly  posted  as  to  the  needs  of  each  community,  and 
sends  as  conductors  of  the  institutes  men  who  are  also  familiar  with  the  local  conditions 
and  have  sound  scientific  knowledge  and  can  impart  that  knowledge  in  a  pleasing 
manner.  The  different  local  requirements  have  been  almost  universally  met  the  past 
winter  and  remarkably  few  complaints  have  been  heard.  As  a  rule  the  same  speakers 
are  asked  for  year  after  year. 

One  of  the  newer  features  of  institute  work  inaugurated  by  Mr.  Dawley  are  the 
so-called  "normal  institutes.'*  which  are  held  at  the  beginning  of  the  season.  Their 
purpose  is  to  bring  all  the  workers  together  before  they  begin  their  work  for  the  year  to 
compare  notes  and  to  become  better  acquainted,  to  give  them  accurate  information  on 
agricultural  subjects,  and  to  bring  them  in  direct  contact  with  teachers  and  professors 
of  recognized  authority  along  their  special  lines.  The  discussions  form  an  important 
part  of  the  program  at  each  session.  The  first  meetings  of  this  character  were  held  in 
1S99  at  Cornell  University  on  November  13  and  at  the  State  experiment  station  at 
Geneva  on  November  14  and  15.  Similar  meetings  have  been  held  each  year  since  for 
one  day  at  Cornell  and  one  day  at  the  State  experiment  station.  In  the  fall  of  1903.  how- 
ever. Mr.  Dawley  made  arrangements  with  L.  H.  Bailey,  of  the  agricultural  college,  and 
W.  H.  Jordan,  of  the  State  experiment  station,  whereby  a  regular  course  of  instruction  in 
the  form  of  lectures  could  be  given  and  the  "'normal  institutes"  be  a  week  of  regular 
college  work  for  the  institute  force.  The  professors  of  the  agricultural  college  and  of 
the  State  experiment  station  entered  heartily  into  the  plan  and  spent  a  great  amount 
of  time  in  carefully  arranging  their  lectures  and  preparing  outlines  for  each  member 
of  the  class.  The  latest  scientific  information  relating  to  the  various  branches  of  agri- 
culture was  presented  and  full  discussions  followed  each  lecture.  The  only  regret  was 
that  the  time  was  so  limited  that  the  work  had  to  be  gone  over  very  hurriedly.  Forty 
State  workers  were  in  regular  attendance,  while  visitors  were  present  from  the  District 
of  Columbia.  Minnesota.  Ohio.  Wyoming,  and  Canada. 

The  accompanying  table  gives,  as  nearly  as  can  be  ascertained,  the  number  of 
farmers'  institutes  which  have  been  held  each  year  from  1SS7  to  1903.  It  will  be  seen 
that  in  1S97  a  change  was  made  in  the  method  of  reporting  the  number  of  institutes, 
those  for  a  full  year,  from  January  to  January,  being  given  instead  of  the  number  for  a 
season.  The  growth  of  the  institutes  in  interest  and  popularity  has  been  constant,  and 
since  about  1S90  over  1.000  applications  have  been  received  each  year,  while  not  more 
than  300  meetings  could  be  held.  During  the  season  of  1902-3  312  meetings  were  held, 
and  in  the  season  of  1903—1  267  meetings,  at  an  average  cost  of  $54.  The  average  total 
attendance  for  the  winter  has  been  64,347  and  the  total  number  of  persons  present  has 
exceeded  130,000. 


69 


Fanners'  institutes  in  New  York  Stale. 


Year. 

Number. 

Director. 

i  fader  supervision  of— 

Appro- 
priation. 

1886 

l 

S 

20 

87 

GO 

100 

105 

150 

145 

277 

•J7.-» 

242 

227 

257 

254 

296 

299 

250 

312 

Cornel]  University   

1887 

.i.  s.  Woodward 

do 

do 

do 

George  T.  Powell 

do 

do 

George  A.  Smith 

do 

do 

F.  E.  Dawley  

do ' 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do 

New  York  Agricultural  Society 

do 

$1,050 

1887-88 

6,000 

1SS8-S9 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do 

State  d<  partmenl  of  agriculture 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do 

6,000 

1889-90 

10,000 

1890-91 

1891-92 

1892-93 

1893-94 

10,000 
10,000 
15,000 
15,000 

1894-95 

15,000 

15, 000 



1896-07 

15,000 

1897 

15,000 

1898 

20,000 

1899 

20,000 

1900 

20,000 

1901 

20.000 

1902 

do 

20,000 

1903 

do 

20,000 

NORTH  CAROLINA. 


The  legislature  of  Nortn  Carolina  first  recognized  farmers'  institutes  in  1887  in  the 
law  concerning  the  board  of  agriculture.     Section  5  of  this  law  is  as  follows: 

The  said  board  shall  cooperate  and  aid  in  the  formation  of  farmers'  institutes  in  all 
the  counties  in  the  State  and  shall  send  the  commissioner  of  agriculture,  the  director 
of  the  experiment  station,  the  teachers  in  the  agricultural  college,  and  some  other  rep- 
resentatives from  their  body  to  assist  in  holding  these  institutes  at  least  once  in  every 
two  years  in  every  countyin  the  State,  in  order  to  instruct  the  people  in  improved 
methods  of  farming  and  to  ascertain  the  wants  and  necessities  of  the  various  farming 
neighborhoods. 

There  is  no  very  clear  record  at  hand  showing  what  was  done  under  this  law  that 
year  and  the  following  years,  1888  and  1889,  but  that  a  few  institutes  were  held  is 
known. 

The  College  of  Agriculture  and  Mechanic  Arts  was  organized  in  the  fall  of  1889. 
Since  it  was  impracticable  for  the  professors  to  attend  institutes  during  term  time,  it 
came  to  be  the  rule  that  the  institutes  should  be  held  during  the  summer  vacation  and 
at  the  comparatively  leisure  time  on  the  farms  between  the  completion  of  the  cultiva- 
tion of  the  crops  and  their  harvesting. 

In  July  and  August,  1890,  the  first  vacation  after  the  organization  of  the  college,  the 
then  commissioner  of  agriculture,  John  Robinson,  planned  a  series  of  two-day  insti- 
tutes embracing  ten  counties  in  the  western  and  southwestern  parts  of  the  State.  The 
idea  was  then  new  to  the  farmers,  and  the  advertising  of  the  meetings  was  defective,  so 
that  with  a  single  exception  the  audiences  were  small;  but  in  each  county  interest  was 
excited  in  the  work,  and  thereafter  applications  for  institutes  came  in,  not  only  from 
the  counties  visited  but  from  many  others  as  well. 

There  being  nearly  one  hundred  counties  in  the  State,  it  has  been  impracticable  for 
the  commissioner  to  fully  comply  with  the  law,  which  requires  an  institute  to  be  held 
in  each  county  at  least  once  in  two  years.  In  fact,  there  are  a  few  counties  in  which  no 
institute  has  yet  been  held. 

The  legislature  has  never  made  specific  appropriation  for  institutes.  What  has  been 
done  has  been  with  such  funds  as  the  board  of  agriculture  was  willing  to  appropriate 
from  its  income,  derived  from  the  tax  on  commercial  fertilizers.  The  lecturers  have 
received  no  compensation  for  their  services.  This  work  has  been  entirely  a  labor  of 
love,  the  lecturers  from  the  college  and  experiment  station  contributing  their  vacation 
time  to  the  institute  wrork,  thus  giving  up  their  own  time  needed  for  rest  and  recupera- 
tion in  order  to  make  the  institutes  as  efficient  as  possible.     Altho  institutes  have  been 


70 

held  each  year  since  the  work  first  began,  it  was  not  until  1903  that  any  serious  effort  was 
made  toward  forming  permanent  local  organizations.  In  that  year  an  advance  agent 
was  sent  out  to  Becure  at  each  point  the  name?  of  the  leading  farmers  of  the  section,  and 
then  t«>  these  persona]  invitations  were  sent  urging  them  to  come  to  the  meeting.  In 
this  way  a  much  larger  at  tendance  was  secured  last  summer  than  in  any  previous  year, 
and  at  each  institute  thus  held  a  local  organization  was  effected  consisting  of  a  secretary 
and  a  chairman  and  an  institute  committee  composed  of  a  member  from  each  township 
of  the  county.  It  is  the  purpose  to  hereafter  hold  an  institute  each  year  in  every 
county  where  a  local  organization  has  been  formed  to  work  it  up  beforehand. 

While  institutes  have  been  held  in  North  Carolina  every  year  for  the  past  fifteen 
years,  little  has  been  done  as  compared  with  Stales  having  a  large  annual  appropriation 
enabling  them  to  employ  outside  aid.  It  is  believed,  however,  that  as  much  has  been 
accomplished  in  Xorth  Carolina  with  the  amount  of  money  spent  as  any  other  State 
has  been  able  to  effect  with  a  similar  sum. 

Institutes  specially  designed  to  aid  the  negro  farmers  of  the  State  have  been  organ- 
ized. Four  of  these  were  held  last  summer,  were  well  attended,  and  at  all  of  them  the 
closest  attention  was  given.  Some  negro  farmers  are  present  at  all  of  the  institutes,  and 
they  are  always  welcome. 

It  is  the  purpose  in  future  to  divide  the  institute  lecture  force  into  two  sections  in 
order  to  cover  a  larger  number  of  counties  than  has  been  possible  with  a  single  corps  of 
men.  In  this  way  many  more  institutes  can  be  held,  and  it  is  believed  that  increased 
interest  in  the  work  can  be  thus  secured. 

What  the  institute  needs  in  Xorth  Carolina  is  thoro  organization,  a  liberal  appropria- 
tion from  the  legislature  for  meeting  its  expenses,  and  a  director  who  can  devote  his 
entire  time  to  the  work.  In  no  other  way  can  the  institutes  be  made  as  effective  as  they 
should  be.  The  commissioner  of  agriculture  and  the  director  of  the  station  have 
duties  that  fully  occupy  their  time  and  require  their  attendance  at  their  offices.  The 
supervision  of  institutes  interferes  with  their  regular  work.  Thoro  organization,  some 
money,  and  a  director  who  has  this  work  and  no  other  in  hand  will  make  the  institutes 
a  powerful  educational  force  in  agriculture.  They  have  already  accomplished  much 
good,  and  have  led  the  farmers  to  depend  more  and  more  on  the  help  that  the  experi- 
ment station  and  the  department  of  agriculture  can  give  them,  and  have  greatly 
increased  the  correspondence  of  the  station  with  the  farmers  of  the  State  who  are  now 
seeking  the  aid  of  the  station  more  than  is  done  in  most  other  States. 

The  amount  expended  for  institute  work  in  this  State  in  1904  was  $850.  The  travel- 
ing and  hotel  expenses  of  the  lecturers  is  all  that  the  board  provides.  Other  States, 
with  large  appropriations  from  their  legislatures,  have  been  able  to  call  in  and  pay  for 
the  best  help  from  outside  of  State  lines.  Xorth  Carolina,  on  the  other  hand,  has 
depended  solely  on  her  own  citizens  for  her  institute  teaching  force,  men  willing  to 
contribute  their  time  and  strength,  often  at  great  personal  inconvenience  and  not 
infrequently  involving  actual  loss. 

There  were  33  institutes  held  in  1904,  with  an  attendance  of  over  6,000  persons.  The 
farmers  of  the  State  are  taking  greater  interest  in  the  work  each  year,  and  the  day  is  not 
far  distant  when  the  legislature  will  be  willing  to  recognize  the  institutes,  not  only  by  a 
law  organizing  them  but  by  appropriating  money  sufficient  to  make  them  what  they 
should  be. 

NORTH   DAKOTA. 

So  far  as  any  authentic  record  can  be  found  the  first  farmers'  institute  in  Xorth 
Dakota  was  held  at  Casselton  on  March  25  and  26,  1894.  This  was  followed  by  one  at 
the  agricultural  college,  Fargo,  on  June  21,  both  of  these  institutes  being  under  the 
auspices  of  the  Society  of  United  Farmers  of  Cass  County.  It  is  quite  probable  that 
during  the  time  in  which  the  Grange  was  active  in  Xorth  Dakota  that  meetings  approach- 
ing the  nature  of  farmers'  institutes  were  held  by  the  lodges  of  this  society  at  different 


71 

points  in  the  State.  At  such  meetingB,  however,  the  program  was  presented  by 
farmers  who  had  made  more  or  Less  of  a  BUccesB  in  their  respective  Localities.  The 
Casselton  meeting  would,  ii  Beeme  to  the  writer,  be  properly  the  first  farmers'  institute 
held  in  North  Dakota.  Two  men  prominently  identified  with  this  institute  were 
J.  B.  Power,  acting  as  president  of  the  agricultural  college,  and  .J.  C.  Gill,  a  prominenl 
former  living  Dear  Casselton.  This  institute  was  addresl  by  members  of  the  faculty 
of  the  agricultural  college,  in  addition  to  leading  Earmere  of  the  county,  and  undoubt- 
edly was  a  great  success,  altho  the  Bociety  under  whoso  auspices  it  was  held  failed  to 
hold  any  further  meetings.     In  Eact,  the  society  itself  soon  ceased  to  exist. 

In  addition  to  the  two  institutes  named  in  the  opening  paragraph,  two  other  meetings 
were  held  the  same  year,  one  at  Mayville,  Traill  County,  on  June  27.  and  the  other  in 
connection  with  the  assembly  of  the  Chautauqua  Association,  at  Devils  Lake,  on  July 
5  and  IS.  The  expenses  of  holding  these  institutes  were  met  in  each  instance  by  con- 
tributions from  the  business  men.  solicited  by  local  committees,  who  arranged  the  pro- 
gram, advertised,  and  conducted  the  meetings.  Members  of  the  agricultural  college 
faculty  took  an  active  part  in  all  these  institutes,  as  well  as  those  held  thruout  the  State 
for  a  number  of  years. 

Recognizing  the  great  advantage  of  some  systematic  farmers'  institute  work,  the 
president  of  the  agricultural  college,  thru  the  board  of  trustees,  urged  that  a  small 
annual  appropriation  be  provided  sufficient  to  pay  the  traveling  expenses  of  institute 
speakers.  Xo  appropriation,  however,  was  made  for  this  work,  altho  in  the  annual 
reports  of  the  experiment  station  and  the  biennial  reports  of  the  college  farmers' 
institutes  were  discust  in  each  succeeding  report  by  the  director  of  the  station  and  the 
president  of  the  college. 

While  no  appropriation  was  provided  for  a  number  of  years  for  this  work,  different 
members  of  the  faculty  took  active  part  in  such  institutes  as  were  held.  In  nearly  all 
instances  a  local  committee,  believing  in  the  practical  results  obtained  from  the 
institute,  would  arrange  to  defray  the  necessary  expenses  of  the  speakers  outside  of  the 
papers  and  addresses  that  could  be  furnished  by  the  near-by  farmers",  and  thus  the 
interest  in  the  institute  was  not  allowed  to  lapse  entirely. 

At  the  sixth  biennial  session  of  the  legislative  assembly  there  was  introduced  and 
past  an  act  to  regulate  the  manufacture  and  sale  of  dairy  products,  section  17  of 
which  act  made  the  assistant  dairy  commissioner  director  of  farmers'  institutes  and 
gave  him  charge  of  all  matters  relating  thereto.  It  was  further  provided  that  the 
expenses  of  such  institutes  should  be  limited  to  the  actual  expenses  of  travel  and  enter- 
tainment of  the  speakers  and  lecturers.  The  writer,  having  been  appointed  and 
accepted  the  position  of  assistant  dairy  commissioner,  planned  to  devote  a  certain 
amount  of  the  funds  appropriated  for  the  expenses  of  the  office  to  the  holding  of  farm- 
ers" institutes.  As  it  was  impossible  to  use  any  of  the  funds  appropriated  for  securing 
speakers  the  agricultural  college  had  to  be  depended  upon  largely  for  such  speakers. 
From  July  1,  1899,  to  June  30,  1900.  25  farmers'  institutes  were  held  at  an  expense  of 
£524. 39.  All  the  members  of  the  station  staff  who  assisted  in  the  work  were  willing  to 
give  their  services,  but  the  number  of  institutes  held  had  to  be  limited  to  the  time  they 
could  spare  from  their  duties  at  the  college  and  station. 

The  year  following  institutes  were  conducted  along  the  same  plan,  the  total  number 
of  meetings  held  being  18.  In  all  instances  the  place  where  the  institute  was  held  fur- 
nished a  hall  properly  heated  and  lighted,  supplied  most  of  the  advertising  matter,  and, 
in  some  instances,  entertained  the  speakers. 

At  the  seventh  biennial  session  of  the  legislative  assembly  a  law  was  past  creating 
a  farmers'  institute  board  and  appropriating  $1,500  per  year  for  institute  work.  For 
the  first  time  in  North  Dakota  it  was  now  possible  to  secure  an  institute  corps  who  could 
devote  their  whole  time  to  the  work  The  large  number  of  applications  which  had  to 
be  refused  showed  how  popular  the  institute  was  becoming  thruout  the  State.  The  first 
year  a  total  of  25  meetings  were  held,  followed  the  next  year  by  19. 


72 

A  large  number  of  numerously  signed  petitions  were  presented  at  the  next  legis- 
lative assembly,  and  the  members  thereof  responding  to  the  demands  of  the  farmers 
increased  the  appropriation  to  $4,000  per  annum.  The  first  year  under  the  new  appro- 
priation will  close  June  30,  1904,  by  which  time  there  will  have  been  held  46  institutes, 
in  which  one  of  the  besl  institute  corps  in  the  entire  country  took  part.  At  the  same 
time  it  was  necessary  to  refuse  25  applications  for  meetings  where  all  the  requirements 
of  the  institute  board  were  complied  with,  and  in  some  cases  the  local  committee  even 
offered  to  pay  all  the  expenses  of  the  institute. 

It  is  believed  that  an  excellent  idea  was  hit  upon  for  creating  a  governing  board  for 
the  farmers'  institutes.  This  board  is  composed  of  the  president  of  the  board  of 
trustees  of  the  agricultural  college,  the  commissioner  of  agriculture  and  labor,  director 
of  the  experiment  station,  the  professor  of  agriculture,  and  the  professor  of  dairying  of 
the  agricultural  college.  Here  is  a  board  that  is  vitally  interested  in  the  agriculture 
of  the  State,  that  is  thoroly  in  touch  with  the  methods  of  education  along  agricul- 
tural lines,  and  one  that  in  nearly  all  cases  will  contain  a  majority  of  members  who 
have  had  experience  in  institute  work,  so  that  a  permanent  and  experienced  manage- 
ment is  practically  guaranteed  to  the  farmers'  institutes.  Just  as  soon  as  the  appro- 
priation is  made  sufficient  to  warrant,  a  superintendent  of  institutes  will  be  engaged, 
who  will  have  entire  charge  of  the  institute  corps,  of  the  correspondence  relating  to 
institutes,  and  the  publication  of  the  Institute  Annual.  At  the  present  time  the  work 
of  correspondence,  advertising,  and  the  publication  of  the  Institute  Annual  is  in  the 
hands  of  the  writer,  who  is  secretary  of  the  institute  board.  An  institute  conductor  is 
secured  for  the  season,  who  has  entire  charge  of  the  corps  while  in  the  field. 

Fully  believing  that  the  institute  work  was  not  completed  or  well  rounded  out 
without  a  complete  report  of  each  year,  there  has  been  prepared  an  Institute  Annual, 
the  first  number  of  which  was  issued  in  1900.  The  publication  of  this  annual  has  been 
continued,  an  edition  of  10,000  copies  being  sent  out  each  year.  That  this  work  is 
well  received  is  evidenced  by  the  large  demand  for  back  numbers.  The  report  for 
1904,  being  the  fifth  of  the  series,  is  now  under  preparation  and  will  be  ready  for  dis- 
tribution by  the  opening  of  the  next  institute  season. 

Since  the  first  institutes  were  held  there  has  been  considerable  change  in  the  subjects 
presented  and  demanded  by  the  farmers  of  the  State.  North  Dakota  being  a  wheat- 
growing  State,  the  most  interesting  subjects  at  first  were  those  pertaining  to  wheat 
growing,  and  fully  75  per  cent  of  the  questions  asked  at  the  institutes  were  along  the 
line  of  this  crop.  The  subjects  have  gradually  changed,  until  now  dairy  husbandry, 
the  live-stock  industry,  corn  growing,  poultry  raising,  horticulture,  etc.,  receive  fully 
as  much  attention  from  the  institute  corps,  as  well  as  the  farmers,  as  that  of  wheat 
growing. 

As  an  experiment  last  year  (1904)  a  lady  speaker  was  attached  to  the  institute  corps 
for  a  part  of  the  season,  and  it  was  found  to  be  an  important  addition  to  the  institute 
work. 

But  ten  years  have  elapsed  since  the  holding  of  the  first  institute  in  the  State,  and 
for  o:  iy  five  years  of  that  time  has  the  State  provided  any  funds  for  systematic  work. 
That  the  work  is  appreciated  and  demanded  by  the  farmers  is  shown  in  the  increased 
appropriations  and  the  increased  number  of  applications  for  institutes. 

OHIO. 

In  the  development  of  farmers'  institutes  in  Ohio  there  were  three  distinct  stages, 
namely,  the  period  of  suggestion,  the  period  of  experiment,  and  the  period  of  successful 
operation. 

The  first  suggestion  relative  to  lectures  for  the  benefit  of  farmers  seems  to  have  come 
from  Dr.  N.  S.  Townshend,  who  later  became  dean  of  the  college  of  agriculture,  Ohio 
State  University.     Under  date  of  February  15,  1845,  he  wrote  as  follows: 

Had  we  a  State  agricultural  society,  with  a  good  board  of  managers,  or  should  the 
legislature  constitute  a  State  board  of  agriculture,  then  either  of  these  might  select  a 


73 

sufficient  number  of  competent  individuals  to  lecture,  after  the  manner  of  medical 
institutions,  on  all  the  sciences  having  relations  with  agriculture.  To  one  Lecturer 
might  be  assigned  geology  and  mineralogy,  with  their  relations  to  draining,  well 
digging,  etc.;  to  another,  chemistry,  with  its  Innumerable  applications;  to  another, 
botany  and  vegetable  prn  Biology  as  applied  to  gardening,  orcharding,  and  field  culture; 
to  another  Lecturer  zoology,  comparative  anatomy,  and  physiology,  showing  their 
hearing  upon  the  management  of  domestic  animals;  to  another,  the  prinriph  .-  <<f 
pathology  and  therapeutics  and  their  relal  ion  to  the  treatment  of  the  diseases  of  animals, 
and  all  tne  operations  of  a  surgical  nature  which  the  fanner  is  required  to  perform; 
then  to  another,  natural  philosophy  and  the  application  of  its  principles  In  the 
perfecting  of  farming  implements,  etc. 

Doctor  Townshend,  under  dateof  September  14, 1845,  made  the  following  suggest  ions 
to  the  young  farmers  of  Ohio  in  relation  to  the  formation  of  farmers'  clubs: 

Of  the  utility  of  such  associations  there  can  be  but  one  opinion.  With  a  good  one  in 
every  township  the  agriculture  of  our  State  might  be  speedily  regenerated;  without 
them  little,  comparatively,  will  be  accomplished.  And  now  the  most  convenient 
season  for  holding  evening  meetings  is  approaching  and  must  not  be  allowed  to  pass 
away  unimproved. 

Meetings  ought  to  be  held  at  least  monthly  and  as  much  more  frequently  as  they  can 
be  made  sufficiently  interesting.     They  may  be  occupied  with — 

First,  lectures.  These  should  embrace  all  the  sciences  having  any  application  to 
agriculture. 

Second,  reports.  The  visiting  committee  should  visit  the  farm  of  every  member  at 
least  once  during  the  year  and  present  a  full  report  on  each  farm. 

Third,  discussion.  Let  some  subject  be  announced  for  conversation  and  members 
one  after  another  give  their  opinion  or  experience  in  relation  to  the  matter.  (Ohio 
Cultivator,  1845,  pp.  149-150.) 

The  organization  of  farmers'  clubs  in  every  township  was  the  best  suggestion  that 
could  have  been  made  under  existing  conditions.  There  were  only  84  miles  of  railroad 
in  operation  in  the  State  in  1845,  and  the  difficulty  in  transportation  alone  would  have 
made  the  institute  of  to-day  impracticable. 

In  the  Ohio  Cultivator  of  October  15,  1846,  M.  B.  Bateham  (later  a  member  of  the 
Ohio  State  Board  of  Agriculture)  said : 

In  regard  to  lectures,  we  hope  that  the  State  board  of  agriculture  will  take  some  action 
upon  the  subject,  and  that  several  competent  persons  may  be  engaged  to  lecture  in 
different  parts  of  the  State  where  desired  during  the  coming  winter.  We  know  of  no 
way  by  which  more  good  could  be  accomplished  at  the  present  time. 

The  Ohio  State  Board  of  Agriculture,  created  by  an  act  of  the  general  assembly, 
past  February  28,  1846,  at  its  second  meeting,  held  October  28  of  the  same  year, 
adopted  a  resolution  recommending  the  formation  of  township  and  neighborhood  farm- 
ers' clubs  or  societies  for  the  purpose  of  mutual  improvement  by  means  of  libraries  of 
agricultural  books  and  periodicals  and  discussions  and  lectures  upon  agriculture,  and 
asking  gentlemen  possessing  the  requisite  knowledge  of  science  and  agriculture  in  dif- 
ferent parts  of  the  State  to  assist  in  the  great  work  of  promoting  agricultural  improve- 
ment by  delivering  lectures  to  farmers  as  they  may  be  desired  or  have  opportunity, 
especially  during  the  season  of  fall  and  winter,  and  in  places  where  clubs  or  societies 
may  be  formed  for  such  purposes.     ^Ohio  Agricultural  Report,  1846,  pp.  17-18.) 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Lorain  County  Agricultural  Society,  January  28, 1847,  the  follow- 
ing resolutions  were  adopted: 

Resolved,  That  we  procure  lecturers  to  lecture  in  each  town  in  the  county  on  agricul- 
ture, and  solicit  persons  to  become  members  of  the  Lorain  County  Agricultural  Society. 

Resolved,  That  if  any  person  will  procure  a  house  and  notify  the  inhabitants  of  his 
town  the  time  of  meeting,  and  inform  the  lecturer,  he  will  be  present  at  the  time  and 
give  a  lecture  on  agriculture,  etc.     (Ohio  Cultivator,  1847,  p.  36.) 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Ohio  State  Board  of  Agriculture,  held  December  4, 1850,  Ex-Gov- 
ernor Allen  Trimble,  president  of  the  Ohio  State  Board  of  Agriculture,  introduced  a 
resolution  to  appoint  Professor  Mather  State  agricultural  chemist  and  corresponding 


74 

secretary  of  the  board,  and  suggested  that  were  it  deemed  necessary  and  could  beaccom- 
plished  by  the  professor  "lectures  on  the  subject  of  agriculture  should  be  delivered." 
.Ohio  Agricultural  Report,  1850,  p.  53.) 

The  second  period  was  that  of  experiment  in  institute  work.  A  course  of  agricul- 
tural lectures  was  inaugurated  at  Oberlin,  December  4,  1854,  to  continue  for  three 
months.     There  were  four  departments  in  charge  of  the  following  gentlemen: 

Dr.  James  Dascomb,  Chemistry  in  its  application  to  soils,  manures,  animal  and  vege- 
table  life,  domestic  arts,  etc. 

Dr.  N.  S.  Townshend,  Comparative  Anatomy  and  Physiology,  with  special  reference 
to  the  feeding  and  breeding  of  stock;  History  and  Description  of  Domestic  Animals;' 
Veterinary  Medicine  and  Surgery.  Entomology,  etc. 

Dr.  John  S.  Newberry.  Geology  and  Mineralogy,  Botany,  etc. 

Prof.  James  H.  Fairchild,  Natural  Philosophy:  Agricultural  Mechanics;  Farm 
Implements;  Meteorology:  Elements  of  Engineering  and  Land  Surveying;  Rural 
Architecture;  Lanscape  Gardening  and  Farm  Bookkeeping.  (Ohio  Cultivator.  1854, 
p.  286.) 

Only  a  few  young  men  took  advantage  of  these  lectures  at  Oberlin,  so  during  the 
winters  of  1855  and  1856  they  were  held  in  Cleveland,  but  evidently  with  no  better 
success,  as  they  were  then  discontinued.  Doctor  Dascomb,  at  the  close  of  the  last 
term,  remarked  to  a  friend,  "Ohio  is  not  ready  for  this  work  and  will  not  be  for  twenty 
years." 

There  seems  to  have  been  no  further  special  effort  in  this  direction  for  a  number  of 
years,  but  good  seed  had  been  sown.  Farmers'  clubs  and  other  farmers'  organizations 
increased  rapidly  in  number  and  much  valuable  information  was  disseminated  thru 
these  organizations  and  thru  the  medium  of  the  agricultural  press. 

During  all  these  years  Doctor  Townshend  was  teaching  the  doctrine  of  higher  educa- 
tion for  the  farmer  with  unflagging  zeal  in  addresses  to  county  agricultural  societies, 
farmers'  clubs,  etc. 

A  few  years  after  the  opening  of  the  Agricultural  and  Mechanical  College  the  board 
of  trustees  decided  (under  the  inspiration  of  Doctor  Townshend),  in  order  to  make 
"the  college  more  immediately  serviceable  to  the  agricultural  interests  of  the  State, 
to  provide  a  course  of  free  lectures  on  topics  of  practical  interest  to  farmers."  In  1878 
an  effort  was  made  to  establish  in  the  college  a  course  of  lectures  on  the  sciences  relat- 
ing to  agriculture.  It  was  proposed  to  have  four  lectures  a  day  for  ten  weeks.  Only 
seven  farmers  responded,  so  the  effort  was  abandoned  for  that  year. 

The  following  year  the  matter  was  taken  up  by  the  granges  of  the  State,  and  when 
the  lecture  course  opened,  January  9,  1879,  there  was  a  large  number  of  intelligent  and 
earnest  farmers  in  attendance,  over  one  hundred  names  being  entered  on  the  class  reg- 
ister. The  course  continued  four  weeks  and  all  the  members  of  the  faculty  took  part, 
Doctor  Townshend  delivering  two  lectures  a  day  and  the  others  one  each. 

The  second  term  began  January  13,  1880,  but  the  time  was  reduced  to  three  weeks. 
The  attendance  was  about  the  same  as  the  previous  year. 

A  third  course  was  held  in  January,  1881,  continuing  ten  days. 

September  14,  1880,  Dr.  \Y.  I.  Chamberlain,  secretary  of  the  Ohio  State  Board  of 
Agriculture,  asked  for  definite  authority  "to  cooperate  with  county  or  other  local  agri- 
cultural societies  and  granges  in  calling  and  organizing  farmers'  institutes  or  agricul- 
tural conventions  during  the  present  fall  and  winter."  (Ohio  Agricultural  Report, 
1880,  p.  19.) 

A  resolution  was  at  once  adopted  appropriating  SI  ,000  from  the  earnings  of  the  State 
fair  for  the  purpose  of  inaugurating  farmers'  institutes  in  Ohio,  and  during  the  winter 
of  1880-81  the  good  work  began  by  holding  27  institul 

.  The  following  season,  1881-82,  the  same  number  was  held.  27;  in  1882-83,  33; 
1883-84,  39;  1884-85,  41;  1885-86,  43;  1886-87,  47;  1887-88,  81;  in  1888-89  the  board 
was  able  to  appropriate  only  about  one-half  the  amount  that  had  been  expended  the 
previous  year  for  this  work,  and  there  was  consequently  a  decrease  in  the  number, 
only  53  being  held;  in  1889-90,  62  were  held. 


75 

The  farmers'  institute  had  proved  to  be  a  valuable  educational  Eactoi  to  the  agricul- 
turists of  the  Stale  and  the  general  assembly,  recognizing  this  fact,  on  April  26,  L890, 
past  "An  act  to  provide  for  the  organization  and  Bupporl  <»f  farmers'  institute  socie- 
ties." This  law  provided  from  the  general  fund  of  each  county  a  per  capita  allowance 
of  5  mills,  but  not  to  exceed  $200  in  any  county;  two-fifths  of  this  amount  to  go  to  the 
State  board  of  agriculture  for  the  payment  of  per  diem  and  expenses  of  .-peakers 
appointed  by  the  board,  and  three-fifths  to  go  to  the  local  societies  for  tin  ir  expenses. 

This  substantial  recognition  of  the  importance  of  the  work  gave  fresh  impetus  to  it. 
In  1890-91  there  were  124  institutes  held  under  the  auspices  of  the  board;  in  1891-92, 
141;  in  1892-93,  151;  in  1893-94,  150;  in  1894-95,  151;  in  1895-9G,  157;  and  87  counties 
took  part  in  the  work.  But  the  board  had  now  reached  that  point  where  it  was  impos- 
sible, with  the  means  at  its  command,  to  increase  the  number  of  institutes,  altho 
the  demand  was  constantly  growing.  Again  the  general  assembly  came  to  its  aid, 
and  on  April  27,  1896,  amended  the  "act  providing  for  the  organization  and  support 
of  farmers'  institute  societies,"  making  the  per  capita  allowance  6  mills  instead  of  5 
mills  and  dividing  it  equally  between  the  State  board  or  agriculture  and  the  local 
societies,  limiting  the  amount  available  in  any  county  to  $250. 

During  the  winter  of  1896-97  the  board  held  212  farmers'  institutes,  and  for  the  first 
time  in  the  history  of  the  State  all  the  counties^88 — took  part  in  the  work.  In  1897- 
98,  234;  in  1898-99,  250;  in  1899-1900,  256;  in  1900-1901,  260;  in  1901-2,  252;  in  1902-3, 
242;  and  in  1903-4,  247. 

In  addition  to  the  regular  farmers'  institutes  held  under  the  auspices  of  the  Ohio 
State  Board  of  Agriculture  a  large  number  of  independent  institutes  have  been  held 
each  year,  some  of  which  have  reported,  but  many  have  failed  to  do  so;  hence  it  is 
impossible  to  give  an  accurate  report  of  the  number  .  In  1890-91  there  were  no  reports 
made;  in  1891-92,  8  reported;  in  1892-93,  14;  in  1893-94,  14;  in  1894-95,  27;  in  1895-96, 
31;  in  1896-97,  25;  in  1897-98,  29;  in  1898-99,  20;  in  1899-1900,  20;  in  1900-1901,  20; 
in  1901-2,  26,  in  1902-3,  24;  and  in  1903-4,  30.  All  farmers'  institutes  are  held  two 
days,  with  two  speakers  in  attendance,  employed  by  the  board. 

The  State  farmers'  institute  held  its  first  session  in  Columbus,  Tuesday,  January  11, 
1887,  and  it  has  held  annual  two-day  sessions  in  Columbus  since  that  time  during  the 
weeks  of  the  annual  meetings  of  the  State  board  of  agriculture.  These  institutes  have 
always  been  well  attended  by  the  farmers,  horticulturists,  and  stock  breeders  of  the 
State.  During  the  continuance  of  these  no  county  institutes  are  held,  thus  giving 
all  interested  an  opportunity  of  attending,  and  they  prove  most  successful,  both  in 
point  of  numbers  and  interest.  Nearly  all  the  institute  lecturers  in  the  employ  of 
the  board  attend  these  State  meetings  and  add  materially  to  their  interest  and  value. 

Since  the  inauguration  of  regular  farmers'  institutes  in  1880-81  the  State  board  of 
agriculture  has  received  the  hearty  cooperation  and  valuable  assistance  of  the  pro- 
fessors of  the  agricultural  college  of  the  Ohio  State  University  and  the  officers  of  the 
Ohio  Agricultural  Experiment  Station,  and  the  help  thus  given  has  been  a  great  aid 
in  making  the  work  a  success.  The  board  has  also  received  the  assistance  of  prominent 
educators  thruout  the  State  and  from  sister  States;  of  men  who  are  authorities  in 
their  special  linesof  work — agriculture,  horticulture,  stock  breeding,  etc. — of  intelligent, 
earnest,  practical  farmers;  and  all  these  gentlemen  deserve  a  share  of  the  credit  of 
success. 

OKLAHOMA. 

The  settlement  of  Oklahoma,  in  1889,  occurred  just  about  the  time  the  farmers' 
institute  movement  began  to  gather  headway  in  the  States.  The  establishment  of 
the  agricultural  college  and  experiment  station  followed  within  two  years  after  the 
settlement,  but  it  was  not  until  1893  that  interest  in  the  institute  form  of  extension 
work  was  aroused. 


76 

The  first  farmers'  institute  organization  in  Oklahoma  of  which  there  is  any  record 
fected  at  El  Reno,  the  county  seat  of  Canadian  County,  in  October.  1893.  A  simi- 
lar organization  was  effected  at  Pond  Creek,  the  county  seat  of  Grant  County,  early  the 
following  year  and  Less  than  six  months  after  the  settlement  of  that  part  of  the  country. 
Some  interest  was  also  manifested  in  other  localities  and  it  was  fostered  and  stimulated 
with  varying  degrees  of  success  by  the  faculty  of  the  agricultural  and  mechanical  col- 
i'l  the  Btaff  of  the  experiment  station.  At  best,  however,  the  interest  was 
desultory  and  efforts  at  organization  were  sporadic  and  there  was  nothing  like  conti- 
nuity or  permanency  in  the  results  achieved.  The  experiment  station  authorities 
labored  faithfully  to  arouse  an  interest  among  the  farmers  of  Oklahoma,  yet .  in  the  very 
nature  of  things, they  could  not  act  as  organizers  in  distant  localities,  and  without 
proper  organization  there  could  be  nothing  done  in  the  way  of  systematic  institute 
work. 

Early  in  1901  there  was  prepared  and  introduced  into  the  Territorial  legislative 
assembly  a  bill  providing  for  the  organization  of  a  Territorial  board  of  agriculture. 
With  some  modifications,  the  measure  was  finally  past,  but  the  law  remained  inopera- 
tive for  nearly  two  years  because  of  lack  of  appropriation.  The  board  thus  created 
consisted  of  six  members,  two  elected  each  year  for  a  three-}  ear  term,  by  a  meeting 
composed  of  one  delegate  from  each  county  farmers'  institute.  These  county  farmers' 
institutes  are  permanently  organized  and  chartered  under  the  provisions  of  the  board 
of  agriculture  law. 

Thru  these  organizations  as  a  medium  the  board  of  agriculture  has  been  laboring 
with  satisfactory  results  in  an  endeavor  to  develop  a  farmers'  institute  system.  In  this 
it  has  had  the  cordial  cooperation  and  active  support  of  the  experiment  station  authori- 
ties. During  the  year  ending  June  30, 1904,  which  was  the  first  year  of  the  operations 
of  the  board  of  agriculture.  52  institute  meetings  were  reported  to  the  board,  with  an 
aggregate  attendance  of  5.400.  .  With  the  county  institute  organizations  as  a  basis,  it  is 
proposed  to  extend  and  expand  the  system  until  it  reaches  into  every  agricultural 
community  in  Oklahoma.  In  1904  the  board  of  agriculture  contributed  S300  for  insti- 
tute support.  The  local  organization  met  the  other  expenses  from  private  contribu- 
tions. 

OREGON. 

The  first  farmers'  institute  in  this  State  was  held  at  the  State  capitol,  Salem.  Decem- 
ber. 188S.  This  institute  was  very  well  attended,  and  the  discussions  were  good.  It 
was  held  under  the  auspices  of  the  agricultural  college,  and  the  institute  practically 
marked  the  beginning  of  a  new  era  of  farming  in  western  Oregon.  Up  to  this  time  the 
growing  of  cereals  and  the  production  of  wool  occupied  the  attention  of  our  farmers. 
There  was  no  thought  of  soil  impoverishment  and  scarcely  any  attention  given  to  dairy- 
ing or  other  forms  of  animal  husbandry.  In  fact,  at  this  time  domestic  live  stock, 
except  the  work  horses  and  fattening  swine,  had  to  maintain  an  existence  in  the  open 
field  thruout  the  year. 

These  institutes  at  their  earliest  incipiency  attracted  the  attention  of  our  most  pro- 
gressive citizens.  Among  the  college  faculty  who  contributed  to  their  success  were 
President  B.  L.  Arnold,  Director  E.  Grimm.  E.  R.  Lake,  the  college  botanist,  horti- 
culturist and  entomologist,  and  P.  H.  Irish,  chemist.  This  staff  of  workers  was  ably 
assisted  by  Mr.  Fitz  Roy  Osborne,  of  the  Michigan  Agricultural  College.  Some  of  the 
most  prominent  laymen  who  were  early  workers  in  this  educational  branch  of  the  col- 
lege were  R.  P.  Boise;  Thomas  H.  Tongue,  afterwards  elected  to  Congress:  J.  T.  Apper- 
son,  subsequently  president  of  the  board  of  regents  of  the  Oregon  Agricultural  College; 
'J.  Voorhees.  later  master  of  the  State  Grange;  Richard  Scott,  and  the  present  director 
of  the  Oregon  Experiment  Station. 

Several  institutes  were  held  during  the  winter  of  1SSS.  among  the  most  successful  of 
which  were  those  at  Salem.  Hillsboro,  and  Tangent. 


77 

From  the  beginning  farmer.-'  institutes  in  this  State  have  been  popular.  It  is  incom- 
prehensible however,  why  an  effort  has  not  been  made  to  invoke  State  aid  for  the 
extension  of  the  work,  a  work  which  ha.-  been  recognized  on  every  hand  to  be  i  i  excep- 
tional value  i'»  ih«'  agricultural  interests  of  the  State. 

The  institutes  conducted  in  this  State  have  Largely  been  of  the  intensely  practical 
type,  altho  they  have  been  favored  with  the  presentation  of  many  scientific  facta  from 
very  able  men.  A  helpful  feature  of  the  institute  has  been  stereoptically-illustrated 
lectures  on  breeds  and  types  <>i  live  stock,  fungus,  and  insect  peste  of  fruit,  garden  and 
field  crops.  These  illustrated  Lectures  have  been  practically  the  equivalent  of  natural 
object  lessons. 

Fanners'  institutes  have  been  twofold  in  their  beneficial  effeel  upon  the  agricultural 
conditions  of  the  State.  In  addition  to  their  immediate  benefit  to  the  active  farmer, 
they  have  been  a  potent  factor  in  bringing  the  farmers  in  close  touch  with  experiment 
station  workers,  hence  have  been  exceedingly  helpful  to  the  experiment  station  in 
bringing  to  its  attention  the  principal  evils  besetting  the  agriculturists. 

About  twenty  farmers'  institutes  have  been  held  in  this  State  each  year  for  the  past 
fourteen  years.  All  of  these  institutes  have  been  conducted  under  the  auspices  of  the 
agricultural  college.  Their  influence  upon  the  agricultural  practises  of  the  State  has 
been  very  marked.  Improved  and  up-to-date  methods  of  agriculture  in  all  of  its 
various  ramifications  are  evident  on  every  hand  and  are  directly  traceable  to  the  far- 
reaching  effect  of  the  institute.  The  press  of  the  State  has  also  been  a  valuable  sup- 
plement in  promulgating  agricultural  information.  It  has  generously  donated  its 
space  in  publishing  the  discussions  at  these  institutes,  thus  bringing  the  work  directly 
within  the  reach  of  nearly  every  farmer  in  the  State. 

While  the  comparatively  few  institutes  which  have  been  held  thruout  the  State 
within  the  past  sixteen  years  have  been  of  great  value  to  agriculture,  there  is  at  present 
urgent  need  for  a  wider  extension  of  this  work.  Agriculture  is  constantly  changing  in 
its  various  aspects.  Large  farms  are  being  subdivided  into  smaller  farms,  which  means 
a  more  intensified  system  of  farming.  Thus  a  great  many  new  problems  are  constantly 
arising  to  confront  the  farmer.  Then,  again,  a  large  influx  of  farmers  is  steadily  pour- 
ing into  the  State  who,  in  the  main,  have  been  accustomed  to  different  conditions  of 
farming.  Hence  they  are  desirous  of  securing  practical  information  on  many  subjects, 
just  the  information  that  is  usually  obtained  at  institutes. 

PENNSYLVANIA. 

If  the  early  history  of  the  farmers'  societies  organized  in  Pennsylvania  for  the 
advancement  of  agriculture  could  be  written,  it  would  be  a  proper  introduction  to  the 
discussion  of  the  origin  of  farmers'  institutes  in  that  State.  As  early  as  1785  there  was 
organized  in  Philadelphia  an  agricultural  society  known  as  the  '"Philadelphia  Society 
for  the  Promotion  of  Agriculture."  This  was,  perhaps,  the  oldest  organization  of  the 
kind  in  this  country. 

The  first  farmers'  institute  held  in  Pennsylvania  by  State  authority  was  qn  May  22, 
1877,  when  the  board  of  agriculture,  which  had  been  created  by  act  of  assembly  of 
May  8,  1876,  called  a  meeting  of  its  members  at  Harrisburg  for  the  consideration  of  the 
agricultural  interests  of  the  State.  This  board  was  composed  of  representatives  elected 
by  the  several  county  agricultural  societies,  one  representative  from  each  of  the  67 
counties,  together  with  3  persons  appointed  by  the  governor  and  6  members  ex-officio, 
who  were  connected  with  the  several  departments  of  the  State  administration.  These 
76  representatives  had  sole  charge  of  the  organization  and  management  of  farmers' 
institutes  for  about  eighteen  years,  until  the  creation  of  the  department  of  agriculture, 
when  the  institutes  were  transferred  to  this  department.  Until  1885  the  board  of  agri- 
culture had  no  specific  appropriation  from  the  Stale  from  which  to  bear  the  expenses 
of  the  institutes.  The  service  of  its  members  was  altogether  gratuitous.  The  expenses 
were  met  by  the  several  localities  in  which  the  institutes  were  held,  altho  a  small 


78 

amount  was  used  from  the  appropriation  made  to  the  board  for  its  ordinary  expenses  in 
!-»  meet  the  traveling  expenses  of  the  lecturers. 

Among  the  influences  at  work  during  this  period  in  the  direction  of  institute  devel- 
opment was  the  interest  taken  in  the  movement  by  the  Pennsylvania  State  College. 
In  1881'  this  institution  held  a  farmers*  institute  at  the  college,  continuing  front  January 
17  to  27.  The  course  consisted  of  40  lectures  given  by  the  college  professors,  aided  by 
specialists  who  were  x.ured  from  outside  to  present  certain  important  agricultural 
specialties.  Xo  charge  was  made  for  the  instruction  given  or  for  the  use  of  the  public 
of  the  college.  These  annual  institutes  were  held  for  three  years.  At  the  end 
of  this  period  they  were  discontinued,  owing  to  the  fact  that  the  attendance  was  found 
to  be  largely  local,  and  the  maintenance  of  the  course  disarranged  the  work  of  the  insti- 
tution to  an  extent  that  was  not.  in  the  judgment  of  its  officers,  justified  by  the  results. 

From  that  time  until  the  present,  however,  the  State  college  and  the  experiment 
station  have  continued  to  contribute  lecturers  each  year  from  the  college  faculty  and 
the  station  force  for  institute  work.  For  several  years  from  three  to  five  members  of 
the  institution  were  continuously  in  the  field  during  the  institute  season.  For  a  por- 
tion of  this  time  the  college  and  station  bore  all  of  the  expenses  of  their  members 
employed  in  the  institute  work,  but  after  appropriations  began  to  be  received  by  the 
State  board  of  agriculture  for  institute  purposes  that  board  paid  the  hotel  and  traveling 
expenses  of  the  lecturers,  their  salaries  as  instructors  in  the  college  and  station  being 
continued  by  the  institution  while  engaged  in  institute  work. 

By  act  of  assembly  of  1885  the  legislature  granted  an  appropriation  of  $1,000  to  the 
State  board  of  agriculture  for  the  actual  and  necessary  expenses  of  holding  farmers' 
institutes.  This  appropriation,  tho  small,  was  of  great  assistance  to  institute  work. 
It  enabled  the  board  to  pay  the  expenses  of  all  of  the  lecturers  and  in  some  instances 
to  add  a  slight  compensation  for  service.  In  1887  the  legislature  increased  the  annual 
appropriation  to  S3. 000.  As  a  consequence,  the  number  of  institutes  was  correspond- 
ingly increased,  until  in  1890  sixty-five  were  reported  as  having  been  held  during  that 
year. 

In  1891  the  appropriation  for  institute  purposes  was  still  further  increased  to  $7,000 
per  year,  and  during  that  year  the  number  of  institutes  held  was  84.  Sixty-two  of 
the  sixty-seven  counties  of  the  State  now  had  representatives  on  the  board  of  agri- 
culture. 

The  institute  work  continued  under  the  direction  of  the  State  board  of  agriculture, 
as  has  been  stated,  until  the  creation  of  the  department  of  agriculture,  under  an  act 
approved  March  13.  1895.  The  institutes  of  the  winter  of  1S94-95  were  therefore  the 
last  that  were  conducted  under  the  old  system.  One  hundred  and  forty-eight  were 
held  during  that  year. 

Under  the  old  system  the  control  and  direction  were  entirely  in  the  hands  of  the 
local  members  of  the  board  of  agriculture,  and  the  appropriation  by  the  State  was  dis- 
tributed by  the  secretary  among  the  counties  in  accordance  with  a  pro  rata  distribu- 
tion arranged  by  a  committee  of  the  board.  The  apportionment  for  the  year  1894-95 
gave  to  each  county  $65  and  then  2  cents  per  farm  additional.  The  local  manager 
selected  the  dates  for  his  institutes  and  secured  such  aid  as  in  his  judgment  the  cir- 
cumstances required,  and  paid  this  help  out  of  the  funds  in  his  hands  which  had  been 
contributed  by  the  State.  It  resulted  in  some  counties  having  as  many  as  six  insti- 
tutes while  others  with  proportionately  the  same  funds  held  but  one.  There  was  also 
an  interference  in  the  dates  for  holding  meetings,  this  matter  being  largely  left  to  the 
local  managers.  There  could  consequently  be  little  uniformity  of  action,  and  con- 
siderable difficulty  was  often  experienced  in  securing  desirable  speakers  for  meetings 
owing  to  this  conflict  in  time.  There  was  also  the  criticisms  made  by  other  agricul- 
tural organizations  in  the  counties  that  in  many  cases  they  had  no  voice  in  the  arrange- 
ment and  direction  of  these  institutes.  Their  members  accordingly  held  aloof  because 
they  felt  that  they  were  to  a  degree  ignored. 


79 

The  now  law  undertook  to  correct  these  defects,  and  made  it  the  duty  of  the  director 
to  fix  the  dates  tor  all  institutes  thai  weir  i<>  be  arranged  for  in  such  a  way  ae  to  »ve 
expense  in  traveling  and  economize  time.  The  following  extract  from  the  law  of 
1895  organizing  the  new  department  of  agriculture,  shows  the  method  adopted  for  the 

control  of  the  institute  work: 

Section  1.  There  shall  be  one  deputy  secretary  who  shall  he  appointed  by  the 
governor  for  the  term  of  four  years,  at  a  salary  of  $3,000  a  year,  who  -lull  also  be  director 

of  fanners'  institutes. 

Sir.  :>.  That  it  shall  he  the  duty  of  the  superintendent  of  institutes  to  arrange  them 
in  such  manner  as  to  time  and  place  of  holding  the  same  as  to  Becure  the  greateel 
economy  and  efficiency  of  service,  and  to  this  end  he  shall,  in  each  county  where  such 
institutes  are  to  be  held,  confer  and  advise  with  the  local  member  of  the  State  board 
of  agriculture,  together  with  representatives  duly  appointed  by  each  county  agri- 
tural,  horticultural,  and  other  like  organization,  with  reference  to  the  appointment 
of  speakers  and  other  local  arrangements. 

On  October  1,  1895,  Prof.  John  Hamilton,  of  State  College,  Center  County,  Pa., 
was  appointed  by  Gov.  Daniel  II.  Eastings  as  first  director  of  farmers'  institutes 
under  the  new  law.  and  served  in  that  capacity  until  1899.  During  his  tenure  of 
office  the  institute  system  was  reorganized,  and  institutes  were  held  annually  in  every 
county  in  the  State.  Interest  in  the  work  increased  each  year,  and  the  appropriation 
for  institute  purposes  was  raised  in  1897  from  $7,500  to  $12,500  per  annum,  and  in 
1901  to  $15,000  per  annum.  This  appropriation  was  made  to  the  department  of  agri- 
culture, and  its  expenditure  was  entirely  under  the  control  of  the  secretary.  An 
entirely  new  method  of  distribution  was  agreed  upon,  by  which  a  certain  sum  was 
granted  to  the  local  directors  in  the  several  counties,  and  a  portion  withheld  for  the 
purpose  of  paying  institute  lecturers  employed  by  the  State  department.  It  was 
made  on  the  basis  of  granting  two  days  of  institute  to  every  county  having  not  over 
1,000  farms;  three  days  to  each  county  having  more  than  1,000  farms  and  not  over 
1,500;  afterwards  one  day  for  each  1,500  farms  or  fraction  thereof.  The  sum  of  $12.50 
per  day  was  granted  to  the  local  director  to  be  used  in  meeting  the  local  expenses. 
The  State  furnished  two  additional  lecturers,  who  were  paid  by  the  department. 

In  1899  Professor  Hamilton  was  appointed  by  Gov.  William  A.  Stone,  secretary  of 
agriculture,  and  was  succeeded  by  Mr.  A.  L.  Martin,  of  Enon  Valley,  as  deputy  sec- 
retary and  director  of  institutes,  who  has  continued  in  that  position  until  the  present 
time.  The  appropriation  for  carrying  on  the  work  for  the  past  two  years  has  been 
$17,500  per  year,  and  from  the  month  of  December  until  March  the  director  has  had 
live  corps  of  lecturers  traveling  continually  turnout  the  State  giving  instruction  in 
institutes  along  all  phases  of  agricultural  work.  At  these  meetings  instruction  is 
given  respecting  the  most  approved  methods  of  dairy  management,  including  the 
feeding  and  stabling  of  cows,  the  care  of  milk,  and  the  manufacture  of  butter  and 
cheese,  and  how  and  where  to  market  these  products  most  profitably.  In  soil  im- 
provement instruct  ion  is  given  as  to  the  best  methods  for  securing  a  supply  of  nitrogen, 
phosphoric  acid,  and  potash.  Information  is  also  imparted  in  the  management  of 
swine,  sheep  husbandry,  market  gardening,  horticulture,  beekeeping,  etc. 

An  important  feature  of  the  institute  work  in  this  State  is  that  which  prescribes 
that  in  every  institute  meeting  an  entire  session  shall  be  given  to  the  discussion  of 
some  particular  topic  that  is  of  general  interest,  and  that  has  been  prescribed  by  the 
State  department  for  all  the  institute-  of  the  Commonwealth.  One  session  of  the 
institute  is  devoted  to  the  subject  of  education — of  a  kind  best  adapted  to  the  devel- 
opment of  rural  life. 

The  effect  has  been  to  secure  the  enactment  of  a  law  providing  for  the  centraliza- 
tion of  the  common  schools  and  for  the  transportation  of  the  children  to  and  from 
these  schools.  The  purpose  has  been  to  secure  for  country  children  such  instruction 
as  will  be  more  in  keeping  with  their  surroundings,  and  be  better  calculated  to  fit 
them  for  their  life  work  than  has  heretofore  been  given. 


80 

A  woman's  session  is  also  held  in  every  institute  thruout  the  State.  The  topics 
discust  are  the  country  home,  its  sanitation,  its  domestic  arrangement,  and  the  social 
environments  of  country  life. 

The  farmers'  institutes  of  Pennsylvania  have  long  since  past  the  problematic  stage 
and  are  to-day  filling  an  important  place  in  the  agricultural  and  commercial  interests 
of  the  Commonwealth.  Their  system  of  management,  altho  not  in  every  respect  com- 
plete, has  been  fairly  satisfactory  and  has  been  patterned  after  by  several  other  States. 
The  continued  and  increasing  demand  for  agricultural  instruction  is  daily  coming 
in  from  every  portion  of  the  State,  showing  that  the  farmers  are  alive  to  the  impor- 
tance of  adopting  accurate  and  improved  methods  in  the  conduct  of  their  farm  opera- 
tions, and  that  they  realize  that  their  hope  of  future  advancement  lies  in  the  appli- 
cation of  the  new  facts  that  science  is  daily  discovering  and  adapting  them  to  their 
use.  To  the  work  of  developing  and  distributing  these  fundamental  truths  the 
farmers'  institutes  of  Pennsyh^ania  are  consecrated. 

PORTO    RICO. 

Farmers'  institutes  have  not  been  organized  in  Porto  Rico. 

RHODE  ISLAND. 

The  farmers'  institutes  in  Rhode  Island  are  conducted  under  authority  granted  by 
the  general  assembly  in  an  act  past  May  19,  1892,  section  4  of  which  is  as  follows: 

The  board  [of  agriculture]  shall  hold  one  agricultural  institute  in  each  county 
annually,  either  independently  or  in  connection  with  any  society  or  association  or 
other  organization  devoted  to  the  same  general  objects,  and  may  hold  as  many  more 
as  it  shall  deem  expedient,  and  shall,  as  far  as  practicable,  encourage  State  and  local 
societies  in  the  interests  of  agriculture. 

In  the  annual  report  of  the  State  board  of  agriculture  for  the  year  1890  Governor 
Ladd  is  quoted  as  saying  that  "Four  meetings  were  held  in  different  parts  of  the 
State  before  the  1st  of  January,  1890.  These  were  small  and  tentative,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  ascertaining  whether  such  meetings  could  be  made  popular  and  profitable." 
Encouraged  by  the  success  attending  them,  the  first  formal  institute  for  1890  was 
called  at  Kingston  court-house  January  23,  1890,  and  was  addrest  by  several  emi- 
nent speakers,  among  others  Mr.  A.  W.  Harris,  assistant  director  of  the  Office  of 
Experiment  Stations  of  the  United  States  Department  of  Agriculture;  Dr.  H.  F. 
Wheeler,  of  the  State  experiment  station  at  Kingston;  Dr.  Austin  Bowen  and  Presi- 
dent Andrews,  of  Brown  University. 

The  second  institute  was  neld  in  Providence  February  26  and  27,  1890,  and  was 
formally  opened  by  Governor  Ladd,  and  an  address  of  welcome  by  the  mayor  of 
Providence.  The  meeting  was  held  at  Manning  Hall,  Brown  University.  The 
attendance  was  large  and  enthusiastic.  Speakers  of  national  reputation  were  present. 
Prof.  W.  O.  Atwater  gave  an  admirable  resume  on  the  condition  of  agriculture  in 
the  United  States,  and  Edward  Burnett,  of  Massachusetts,  delivered  an  excellent 
lecture  on  dairy  cattle,  dealing  particularly  with  the  feeding  of  ensilage,  which 
had  at  this  time  assumed  considerable  importance  in  the  United  States.  Insti- 
tutes have  continued  to  the  present  time,  showing  that  they  have  met  a  need  in 
the  agriculture  of  this  State  that  is  general  and  much  appreciated. 

The  arranging  for  the  holding  of  institutes  is  committed  by  the  State  board  of 
agriculture  to  its  secretary,  and  the  expenses  are  paid  by  the  board  out  of  an  annual 
appropriation  of  $15,000,  appropriated  for  the  purpose  of  carrying  out  the  several 
provisions  of  the  act  by  which  the  board  of  agriculture  is  constituted.  Twelve  insti- 
tutes were  held  during  the  year  1904,  composed  of  21  sessions,  with  a  total  attendance 
of  1,260.     The  amount  appropriated  for  institute  purposes  was  $600,  and  the  entire 


81 

cost  was  $620.    Twelve  speakers  were  upon  tin-  State  Lecture  force,  all  ol  whom  were 
members  of  the  faculty  of  the  State  agricultural  collegeor  of  the  experiment  station 

force. 

The  dates,  places,  and  programs  are  arranged  by  the  director.  Two  thousand  five 
hundred  copies  of  reports  of  the  proceedings  were  printed  and  distributed. 

SOUTH  CAROLINA. 

In  1887  the  legislature  of  South  Carolina  made  it  obligatory  upon  the  board  of 
agriculture  to  hold  fanners'  institutes.  A  few  were  held  under  the  provisions  of 
that  ad.  Several  years  later  Clemson  Agricultural  College  was  established,  and  the 
duties  of  the  board  o,f  agriculture,  so  far  as  it  related  to  the  holding  of  fanners'  insti- 
tutes, were  devolved  upon  the  board  of  trustees  of  Clemson  Agricultural  College. 

A  law  of  South  Carolina,  enacted  in  1893, a  provides  that — 

The  board  of  trustees  of  Clemson  Agricultural  College  shall  have  power  to  hold 
agricultural  conventions  composed  of  delegates  from  each  county  of  the  State; 
*  *  *  and  to  conduct  fanners' institutes  at  such  times  and  places  as  may  appear 
expedient,  and  they  are  authorized  to  use  such  parts  of  funds  under  their  control 
as  may  be  necessary  to  meet  the  expenses  of  conducting  such  institutes. 

From  this  time  until  the  present  fanners'  institutes  have  been  held  in  most  of  the 
counties  every  year,  with  increasing  popularity,  closing  each  season  with  a  several 
days'  institute  held  at  Clemson  Agricultural  College.  Last  year  33  institutes  were 
held,  having  a  total  attendance  of  8,690.  Fifteen  lecturers  were  upon  the  State 
institute  force;  9  were  contributed  by  the  agricultural  college  and  6  by  the  experi- 
ment station.  The  expenses  amounted  to  $600.  A  round-up  institute  at  the  close 
of  the  season,  extending  over  12  sessions,  was  held  at  the  college,  having  a  total 
attendance  of  about  1,500  persons. 

A  committee  of  the  board  of  trustees  of  Clemson  Agricultural  College  makes  out 
the  programs  for  the  ensuing  year  and  appoints  an  officer  to  take  charge  of  the  work 
of  conducting  the  meetings.  The  rule  adopted  by  the  board  is  to  require  that  an 
invitation  shall  be  received  from  not  less  than  15  farmers  in  a  locality  before  an  insti- 
tute will  be  granted,  and  it  is  also  required  that  those  desiring  institutes  must  have 
their  petition  in  the  hands  of  the  president  of  the  board  of  trustees  on  or  before  June  10. 
This  petition  must  designate  a  suitable  place  for  holding  the  institutes,  and  the 
locality  will  be  expected  to  provide  either  a  suitable  building  or  seats  in  some  grove 
for  the  comfortable  accommodation  of  those  who  attend  the  institute. 

The  director  appoints  the  dates  on  which  the  institutes  will  be  held,  giving  due 
notice  to  the  petitioners  in  each  locality.  Thereupon  they  are  expected  to  advertise 
the  meeting  thruout  the  territory  which  the  institute  is  to  ivach.  The  appropriation 
is  made  by  the  trustees  of  the  agricultural  college  from  the  college  and  staff  funds. 

SOUTH  DAKOTA. 

The  first  farmers'  institutes  in  South  Dakota  were  held  in  the  winter  of  1889-90, 
and  were  conducted  under  the  direction  of  James  H.  Shepard,  chemist  in  the  South 
Dakota  Agricultural  College.  The  college  at  that  time  had  no  winter  term,  and  an 
institute  was  planned  to  be  held  at  the  institution,  to  continue  for  several  weeks. 
The  next  winter,  1890-91,  the  same  method  was  tried,  but  in  both  cases  with  indif- 
ferent success.  It  was  found  that  the  number  of  farmers  that  could  be  induced  to 
attend  the  institute  meetings  was  not  sufficient  to  justify  the  expense.  This  plan 
was  therefore  abandoned,  and  meetings  were  arranged  to  be  held  in  various  parts  of 
the  State,  to  continue  for  about  three  days.     This  proved  much  more  acceptable. 

The  work  was  conducted  by  the  professors  of  the  college.  Xo  funds  were  avail- 
able for  meeting  the  expense,  and  the  localities  in  which  the  meetings  were  held 

a  Revised  Statutes,  1893,  sec.  1132,  par.  10. 
11797— No.  174—06 6 


82 

were  required  to  furnish  a  hall  free  of  charge  and  also  to  provide  for  the  advertising 
•di  the  institutes  and  the  entertainment  of  the  speakers. 

In  1895  Professor  Shepard  was  formally  placed  in  charge  of  the  institute  work  as 
director.  No  appropriation  was  made  by  the  State  to  meet  the  expenses  of  the  work. 
Meetings,  however,  were  held  during  the  seasons  of  1895  and  1896,  and  some  good 
work  was  accomplished. 

In  1897  the  legislature  took  up  the  institute  question,  and  the  State  engineer  was 
made  director  of  farmers'  institutes,  and  the  sum  of  81,000  per  year  was  granted  for 
meeting  the  expenses  of  the  work.  With  this  the  director,  s.  A.  Cochran,  employed 
a  lecturer  on  dairy  science  and  one  en  domestic  economy  for  about  two  months  each 
winter.  X.  E.  Hansen,  professor  of  horticulture  of  the  agricultural  college,  was 
added  to  the  force,  but  with  no  compensation  other  than  his  salary  received  from 
the  college.  With  this  corps  of  instructors  a  considerable  number  of  two-day  insti- 
tutes were  held  in  various  parts  of  the  State,  aided  by  such  local  talent  as  the  several 
communities  were  able  to  furnish.  Two  institutes  were  held  each  week,  and  a  sys- 
tem was  rapidly  being  inaugurated  which  promised  excellent  results. 

The  legislature  of  1900-1901  failed,  however,  to  make  any  appropriation  for  the 
institutes,  and  since  that  time  up  until  the  beginning  of  1905  no  institutes  were 
held,  except  a  few  local  meetings  conducted  by  the  farmers  themselves. 

The  legislature  of  1904-5,  at  the  request  of  the  officers  of  the  State  agricultural 
college,  appropriated  85.000  per  year  for  farmers'  institute  purposes,  and  has  placed 
the  oversight  of  the  work  in  the  hands  of  the  president  of  the  college  and  the  regents 
of  that  institution.  The  way,  therefore,  is  open  for  resuming  the  work,  and  it  is 
the  intention  of  the  college  authorities  to  inaugurate  a  vigorous  campaign  along  insti- 
tute lines  during  the  coming  winter. 

TENNESSEE. 

The  oldest  agricultural  organization  in  the  State  is  known  as  the  East  Tennessee 
Farmers'  Convention,  which  held  its  first  meeting  in  1875.  and  has  held  annual  meet- 
ings ever  since  at  Knoxville.  Its  membership  embraces  all  of  the  East  Tennessee 
counties.  The  present  officers  are:  W.  Getys,  Athens;  A.  M.  Soule,  secretary.  Knox- 
ville. 

The  institute  movement  under  the  auspices  of  the  State  department  of  agriculture 
was  first  inaugurated  during  the  administration  of  Commissioner  Allison  in  1893.  No 
appropriation,  however,  was  made  for  its  maintenance  at  that  time.  Four  institutes 
were  held  in  that  year  at  the  following  places:  Knoxville.  Pulaski.  McMinnville,  and 
Jackson.  Commissioner  Allison  continued  this  work  during  his  administration  of  four 
years,  as  did  also  Commissioner  Essary  during  1897-98. 

Thomas  H.  Paine  was  appointed  commissioner  of  agriculture  in  1898,  and  recognizing 
the  importance  of  this  work,  secured  an  appropriation  of  82.500  per  year  for  institute 
work  for  a  period  of  four  years. 

The  commissioner  of  agriculture  selects  the  lecturers,  arranges  the  programs,  and 
decides  the  times  and  places  for  holding  institute  meetings.  The  State  is  naturally 
divided  into  three  distinct  geographical  sections — eastern,  middle,  and  western  Ten- 
nessee. Originally  the  institute  organizations  were  formed  into  several  divisions.  It 
was  during  Mr.  Paine's  administration  that  county  organizations  instead  of  division 
organizations  were  attempted  with  success.  Interest  continued  to  grow  in  the  work, 
until  under  the  present  administration  an  appropriation  of  85.000  per  year  has  been 
secured  for  the  use  of  the  farmers'  institutes.  During  the  past  year  69  county  institutes 
were  held,  and  3  division  institutes  in  the  different  grand  divisions  of  the  State.  The 
average  attendance  of  the  county  institutes  was  MO  and  the  division  institutes  1.200. 


83 

TEXAS. 

Fourteen  years  ago,  in  1892,  under  the  management  of  a  prominent  agricultural 
journal  printed  ai  Dallas,  a  scries  of  formers'  institutes  was  lnld  iii  Texas  with  the  coop- 
era i  ion  of  the  railroads,  the  agricultural  and  mechanical  college,  and  a  number  of  volun- 
teer lecturers,  including  such  men  as  K.  F.  Butler.  Doctor  Folsetter,  W.  8.  Marshall,  and 
others,  'rim.-,,,  institutes  were  ['"Unwed  by  a  request  addrest  to  the  Texas  Legislature 
for  Slate  aid  in  the  support  of  the  movement.  The  legislature  did  not  then  appreciate 
the  importance  of  this  work,  and  when  asked  for  an  appropriation  tor  its  support  refused 
to  provide  any  funds  for  that  purpose. 

In  July,  1897,  the  Farmers'  Congress,  a  State  organization,  adopted  a  new  constitu- 
tion, in  which  the  following  resolution  was  incorporated: 

Resolved,  That  the  objects  of  this  organization  shall  be  to  develop  accurate  and 
scientific  knowledge  of  the  arts  of  agriculture,  to  establish  and  encourage  farmers' 
institutes,  etc. 

This  statement  of  purpose  respecting  the  institutes  produced  no  definite  results  until 
1902.  when  the  journal  before  referred  to  supplied  a  State  organizer  at  its  own  expense, 
and,  with  the  assistance  of  public-spirited  men,  aided  by  the  railroads,  a  series  of  insti- 
tutes was  held,  beginning  with  one  at  Terrell,  August  27,  and  continuing  thruout  the 
autumn  and  winter.  The  effect  of  this  series  of  meetings  upon  the  general  public  was 
such  that  the  legislature  of  Texas  in  1903  appropriated  $5,400  to  the  Agricultural  and 
Mechanical  College  of  Texas  for  farmers'  institute  purposes  for  two  years. 

Immediately  upon  the  passage  of  this  act  a  member  of  the  faculty  of  the  college  was 
appointed  by  the  board  of  directors  to  take  charge  of  organizing  and  conducting  insti- 
tutes. R.  L.  Bennett  was  chosen  institute  director  and  was  later  succeeded  by  J.  W. 
Carson,  of  College  Station. 

During  the  past  year  the  director  has  organized  150  institutes  in  the  several  counties 
and  has  also  formed  a  large  number  of  truck-growers'  associations.  The  director  and 
the  president  of  the  college  arrange  the  dates,  places,  and  programs  for  institute  meet- 
ings. All  of  the  local  expenses  are  met  by  the  citizens  of  the  community  in  which  the 
institute  is  held,  including  very  frequently  the  entertainment  of  the  State  lecturers. 
One  hundred  and  forty-four  institutes  were  held  during  the  year,  140  of  these  being 
one-day  institutes  and  4  two-day.  The  total  number  of  sessions  was  178  and  the  attend- 
ance 15.130.  There  were  34  lecturers  on  the  State  force,  23  of  whom  were  supplied  by 
the  agricultural  college  and  experiment  station,  who  contributed  two  hundred  and 
eighty-four  days  of  time.  The  cost  of  the  institutes  for  the  year  was  S3. 950.  Two 
thousand  and  seven  hundred  dollars  of  this  was  from  the  State  appropriation  and  the 
balance  from  an  appropriation  made  by  the  United  States  Department  of  Agriculture 
out  of  the  boll  weevil  fund,  to  be  expended  under  the  supervision  of  the  president  of 
the  college  as  collaborator. 

County  organizations  are  formed  under  a  constitution  and  by-laws  suggested  by  the 
State  director.  By  the  terms  of  this  constitution  the  local  societies  agree  to  meet  once 
each  month  for  the  discussion  of  agricultural  questions.  Two  round-up  institutes  were 
held,  at  which  1,250  persons  were  in  attendance.  The  railroads  have  cooperated  gen- 
erously by  supplying  transportation  to  the  lecturers,  and  in  many  instances  furnishing 
complete  entertainment  while  the  lecturers  were  on  their  road. 

UTAH. 

Up  to  July  1,  1896,  the  only  farmers*  institute  work  done  in  the  State  was  represented 
by  occasional  popular  talks  given  by  members  of  the  faculty  of  the  Agricultural  College 
of  Utah,  and  of  the  staff  of  the  experiment  station.  On  July  1,  1896,  a  bill  approved 
by  the  governor  March  28,  1890,  went  into  effect,  granting  the  agricultural  college  the 
sum  of  si. 500  annually  for  the  purpose  of  conducting  farmers'  institutes  in  the  State 
and  for  publishing  an  annual  report  of  institute  work. a 

a  See  U.  S.  Dept,  Agr.,  Office  of  Experiment  Stations  Bui.  135  (Revised),  p.  31. 


84 

Under  this  acl  institutes  have  been  held  each  year  and  seven  farmery'  institute 
annual  reports  have  been  prepared  and  published.  During  the  first  two  years  after 
the  passage  of  this  act  it  was  attempted  to  interest  the  farmers  by  sending  out  parties 
oi  four  i"  six  mem  I  >ers  of  the  college  and  station  staff,  who  1  raveled  by  rail  and  by  team 
over  the  larger  port  ion  of  the  State,  holding  farmers'  institutes  in  the  towns  and  villages 
on  the  way. 

After  ]898  the  work  was  conducled  mainly  by  sending  out  speakers  to  localities  that 
made  requests  for  assistance.  This  was  found  to  be  a  very  expensive  method  of  doing 
the  work,  and  after  the  year  1900  farmers'  institute  tours  were  arranged.  Two  or  more 
speakers  from  the  college  would  spend  one  or  two  weeks  doing  institute  work,  holding 
a  meeting  every  day  in  different  places.  This  method  was  also  found  rather  unsatisfac- 
tory, partly  because  of  the  great  expense  and  partly  also  because  the  college  in  most  cases 
had  to  plan  the  trips,  advertise  the  meetings,  and  frequently  the  people  felt  that  the 
officers  of  the  State  institute  were  forcing  their  meetings  upon  the  farmers. 

About  two  years  ago  the  plan  was  adopted  of  holding,  as  far  as  possible,  only  county 
institutes  and  of  sending  speakers  from  the  college  to  such  institutes  only  when  formal 
requests  for  such  help  was  made  by  the  proper  county  organizations.  This  plan  is 
working  very  well,  is  satisfactory  in  every  respect,  and,  besides,  is  economical.  Two 
to  four  speakers  are  sent  out  to  take  part  in  the  institutes  in  two  cr  more  counties.  The 
times  of  holding  the  farmers'  institutes  are  so  arranged  that  one  county  institute  follows 
another,  in  order  to  allow  the  speakers  to  make  the  very  best  use  of  their  time.  The 
county  institutes  extend  over  at  least  two  days,  each  day  consisting  of  three  sessions  for 
the  men  and  three  for  the  women.  The  counties  do  all  the  work  of  advertising  and 
other  preparation. 

The  following  circular  announcement  has  been  issued  by  the  college,  showing  the 
method  to  be  pursued  in  securing  an  institute: 

In  compliance  with  the  law,  the  faculty  of  the  college  has  been  authorized  to  hold 
farmers'  institutes  in  the  various  counties  of  this  State,  and,  as  far  as  possible,  to  make 
the  subjects  discust  at  each  institute  meet  the  special  needs  cf  the  locality  where  it- 
is  held. 

All  expenses  of  the  meeting  will  be  met  by  the  college,  and  authority  will  be  given 
for  the  printing  of  notices  and  programs  to  those  making  application  for  institutes.  For 
the  present  it  is  recommended  that  institutes  be  held  during  one  day  and  evening, 
devoting  the  day  session  to  papers  and  discussions  upon  special  farm  topics,  and  the 
evening  to  lectures  and  addresses  on  subjects  of  more  general  interest  to  the  commun- 
ity at  large.  Local  speakers  and  writers  are  expected  to  assist  in  the  exercises  of  the 
institute  by  discussing  subjects  in  which  they  are  most  interested  or  in  which  they  have 
had  successful  experience.  If  an  institute  is  desired  in  any  community,  those  inter- 
ested are  requested  to  select  the  topics  that  are  believed  to  be  of  the  most  interest  to 
the  locality,  determine  upon  a  date  for  the  meeting,  and  arrange  for  such  local  speakers 
as  may  be  desired.  Usually  not  more  than  two  professors  from  the  college  can  attend 
an  institute  at  one  time. 

The  interest  in  the  farmers'  institute  work  is  rapidly  growing  in  this  State.  Numer- 
ous local  institutes  and  societies  have  been  organized.  Many  county  institutes  are 
also  in  existence,  and  it  is  now,  as  it  always  has  been,  quite  impossible  for  the  college  to 
meet  all  the  requests  made  upon  it  by  the  above-mentioned  appropriations.  At  least 
one-third  of  the  appropriation  is  spent  annually  in  publishing  the  Annual.  The 
remaining  $1,000  does  not  allow  much  traveling  in  a  State  as  large  as  is  Utah. 

VERMONT. 

By  an  act  of  the  general  assembly  of  the  State  of  Vermont  approved  November  22, 
1870,  the  governor  of  the  State,  the  president  of  the  State  agricultural  college,  and  six 
persons  to  be  appointed  by  the  governor  and  confirmed  by  the  senate  were  constituted 
the  "Vermont  Board  of  Agriculture,  Manufactures  and  Mining,"  to  hold  office  until 
the  1st  day  of  November,  1872,  their  successors  to  be  appointed  biennially. 

The  first  meeting  of  the  board  was  subject  to  the  call  of  the  governor,  at  which  meet- 
ing the  organization  of  the  board  was  perfected,  and  consisted  of  His  Excellency  John 


85 

\Y.  Stewart;  Tames  B.   Angell,  president   Stan-  Agricultural  <  « >11«  lt* ■ :  Peter  Collier, 

secretary  of  the  hoard,  and  the  following  persons  as  appointed  by  the  governor  and 
confirmed  by  the  senate:  A.  B.  Balbert,  oi  Essex;  Charles  II.  Heath,  of  Plainfield; 
Frederick  Bolbrook,  of  Brattleboro;  Pitt  W.  Hyde,  of  Castleton;  Z.  E.  Jameson,  of 
[rasburg,  and  X.  B.  Sanford,  of  Whiteriver  Junction. 

Tin'  a»t  of  tlic  general  assembly  which  provided  for  this  hoard  also  conditioned  that 
the  hoard  shall  hold  at  least  one  business  meeting  each  year  and  as  many  more  as  they 
deemed  expedient,  to  which  the  people  of  the  State  shall  he  invited  i«>  participate  for 
the  investigation  and  discussion  of  matters  relating  to  agriculture,  horticulture,  manu- 
factures, and  mining,  and  a  sum  not  exceeding  *2,5(K)  was  appropriated. 

During  the  two  years  this  hoard  was  in  office  nine  public  meetings  were  held  in 
different  towns  of  the  State,  at  which  the  subjects  of  fruit  culture,  grass  culture,  practi- 
cal agriculture,  fertilization,  education,  manufacturing,  and  mining  were  presented  by 
experts  on  the  different  subjects  and  thoroly  discust  by  people  present  at  the  meetings. 

From  the  first  the  board  had  the  hearty  cooperation  of  the  best  farmers  of  the  State, 
also  those  interested  in  the  different  branches  covered  by  the  act  creating  the  board. 

In  1873-74  nineteen  public  meetings  were  held  by  the  board,  at  all  of  which  the 
attendance  was  large  and  great  enthusiasm  shown  by  the  general  public.  Papers  on 
subjects  pertaining  to  agriculture  were  read  and  discust,  including  dairying,  fruit 
culture,  sheep,  cattle,  and  horse  breeding,  farm  buildings,  stock  feeding,  sugar  mak- 
ing, etc. 

In  1875-1882  meetings  were  held  thruout  the  State,  usually  with  good  attendance, 
and  much  interest  taken  in  them  by  the  public. 

In  1883-84  forty-seven  meetings  were  held  and  the  number  of  addresses  given  at 
these  meetings  and  under  the  direction  of  the  board  was  731. 

In  1885-86  sixty-four  meetings  were  held  and  the  number  of  addresses  given  was  922. 

In  1894  the  amount  to  be  expended  by  the  board  was  raised  and  limited  to  $5,000, 
and  the  board  was  given  jurisdiction  over  the  importation  or  introduction  of  horses  and 
other  domestic  animals  into  the  State  such  as  had  been  exposed  to,  or  believed  to  be 
infected  with,  any  contagious  disease.  They  were  given  power  to  examine  the  ani- 
mals in  the  State  supposed  to  be  infected  and  under  certain  conditions  to  kill  or 
quarantine  the  same. 

The  report  of  1894-95  shows  twenty-seven  public  meetings,  the  subjects  presented 
and  discust  covering  all  branches  of  farming  and  stock  raising. 

In  1897  twenty-seven  meetings  were  held  thruout  the  State,  from  one  to  three  days 
each,  having  an  attendance  of  from  150  to  600  people.  In  1898  twenty-seven  meetings 
were  held,  in  1899-1900  sixty-three,  and  in  1901  forty-three. 

In  1902  the  general  assembly  past  an  act  constituting  the  governor,  the  president  of 
the  University  of  Vermont  and  State  Agricultural  College,  and  three  persons  appointed 
by  the  governor  and  confirmed  by  the  senate,  and  "who  shall  hold  office  for  two  years," 
to  constitute  a  board  of  agriculture,  conditioned  that  the  board  shall  hold  at  least  one 
meeting  in  each  county  annually,  and  may  employ  such  talent  as  lecturers  as  they 
deem  expedient. 

In  1903  forty-nine  meetings  were  held,  and  the  interest  shown  by  the  general  public 
was  very  gratifying  to  the  board  and  the  several  persons  wh<>  appeared  as  instructors. 

At  the  biennial  session  of  the  legislature  of  1904  the  governor  appointed  as  the  three 
additional  persons  to  serve  for  the  ensuing  two  years  George  Aitken,  of  Woodstock; 
Earnest  Hitchcock,  of  Pittsford;  and  Dana  H.  Morse,  of  Randolph,  as  the  members  of  the 
board.  These  appointments  were  confirmed  by  the  senate.  At  a  meeting  of  the  board 
George  Aitken  was  elected  as  the  secretary,  so  that  the  board  as  now  constituted  consists 
of  His  Excellency  C.  J.  Bell,  president;  M.  H.  Buckham,  of  the  University  of  Ver- 
mont; George  Aitken  as  secretary,  and  Earnest  Hitchcock  and  Dana  H.  Morse. 

During  the  thirty-four  years  of  its  existence  the  board  of  agriculture  of  Vermont  has 
each  year  held  its  meetings  and  kept  up  its  interest  in  the  development  of  the  agri- 


86 

culture  of  the  State.  It  has  extended  the  scope  of  its  work  from  year  to  year  until  now 
its  lecturers  cover  a  large  field  in  their  instruction,  and  their  work  is  proving  of  great 
benefit  to  the  farming  interests  of  the  State.  The  board  has  been  judicious  in  the 
employment  of  men  as  lecturers,  selecting  only  those  who  are  experts  in  the  several 
lines  of  farming,  as  stock  raising,  fruit  culture,  dairying,  sugar  making,  sanitary 
farm  buildings,  etc. 

The  work  of  the  board  has  stimulated  the  farmers  of  the  State  to  aim  at  a  much 
higher  grade  of  farming.  Its  lecturers  have  taught  them  the  value  of  commercial 
fertilizers  and  their  more  economical  use,  the  importance  of  the  exercise  of  care,  and  the 
use  of  scientific  methods  in  the  feeding  of  animals,  the  value  of  keeping  accurate  records 
of  milk  production,  the  conservation  of  moisture  in  the  soil,  and  the  use  of  various 
forage  crops  both  as  food  for  animals  and  as  furnishing  fertility  for  the  betterment  of 
their  farms.  In  these  and  numerous  other  respects  the  influence  and  teachings  of  tin- 
board  and  of  the  specialists  employed  as  instructors  in  the  institutes  have  been  of 
untold  value  to  the  farming  interests  of  the  State. 

In  1904,  48  institutes  were  held,  with  an  estimated  attendance  of  10.000  persons. 
The  secretary  of  the  board  of  agriculture  is  the  superintendent  of  institutes  and  has, 
under  the  direction  of  the  board,  control  of  the  work  of  fixing  the  dates  and  places  for 
the  institutes  and  of  arranging  the  programs. 

VIRGINIA. 

Farmers'  institutes  seem  to  have  taken  definite  form  in  Virginia  about  the  year  1890. 
In  the  reports  of  Thomas  Whitehead,  commissioner  of  agriculture  for  1888-89,  reference 
is  made  to  the  advisability  of  holding  institutes,  and  quotations  are  made  from  the  reports 
of  the  directors  of  institute  work  in  some  other  States.  The  first  meeting  was  held  at 
Chatsworth  Farms,  owned  by  R.  B.  Chafhn,  near  the  city  of  Richmond,  September 
25  and  26,  1890.  The  meeting  was  well  attended  and  addresses  were  delivered  by  a 
number  of  prominent  farmers  and  scientists.  A  summary  of  the  proceedings,  together 
with  the  papers  read,  is  contained  in  the  report  of  the  State  board  of  agriculture  for  the 
year  1890.  The  expenses  of  the  meeting  seem  to  have  aggregated  $169.03.  It  is 
interesting  to  note  that  even  at  this  early  date  the  services  of  scientific  experts  were 
considered  of  importance,  for  Professors  Massey  and  Alvord  addrest  the  meeting. 
Doctor  McBryde,  president  of  the  Virginia  Polytechnic  Institute,  delivered  a  number 
of  notable  addresses  on  agricultural  education  and  experimental  work  at  meetings  held 
in  lateryears.  Since  the  inception  of  the  farmers'  institute  movement,  the  officers  of  the 
Virginia  Experiment  Station  have  been  frequently  called  on  to  deliver  addresses  before 
meetings  held  in  all  parts  of  the  State,  a  service  cheerfully  rendered  on  their  part. 

The  initial  meeting  was  so  successful  that  the  State  board  was  encouraged  the  next 
year  to  appropriate  the  sum  of  $250  for  farmers'  institutes  to  be  held  in  each  Con- 
gressional district  of  the  State  upon  a  written  petition  signed  by  300  farmers  in  the  dis- 
trict. Under  this  plan  four  institutes  were  held  in  the  year  1891,  namely,  at  Chats- 
worth,  Charlottesville,  Bedford,  and  Pulaski,  and  the  expense  incurred  for  speakers 
was  $890.11.  Many  of  the  papers  read  at  these  meetings  are  published  as  an  appendix 
to  the  commissioner's  report  for  1891.  On  the  whole,  farmers'  institutes  seem  to  have 
gained  ground  and  to  have  found  favor  in  the  different  sections  of  the  State  during 
the  year. 

The  institute  work  was  continued  in  the  year  1892,  meetings  being  held  at  Alex- 
andria, Cape  Charles,  Grange  Camp,  Burkeville,  and  Lynchburg,  and  $1,425.50  was 
expended  in  the  work.  The  meetings  seemed  to  have  been  highly  successful,  judging 
from  the  commissioner's  report,  and  he  calls  attention  to  the  value  of  the  meetings  and 
suggests  the  advisability  of  the  State  making  a  special  appropriation  for  the  maintenance 
of  institutes.  As  heretofore,  a  number  of  the  best  papers  read  before  the  institutes 
were  published  as  a  part  of  the  commissioner's  report  for  the  year  1892. 


87 

The  movement  seems  to  have  waned  somewhat  during  the  year  Is!).',.      Only  three 

meetings  were  held,  namely,  at  Lynchburg,  Harrisonburg,  and  Manassas.    The  total 
cost  was  $532.35.     Many  of  the  papers  read  arc  reproduced  in  the  commissioner's 

report. 

Only  two  applications  Beem  to  have  been  received  for  institutes  in  1894,  while  only 
one  was  held  at  Tappahannock,  and  the  expense  was  $75. 

The  institute  movement  seems  to  have  revived  a  little  according  to  the  report  of  the 
commissioner  for  L895.  Four  meetings  were  reported  for  thai  year  from  the  first ,  sixth, 
seventh,  and  eighth  districts,  the  total  expense  being  something  like  $400.  The  meet- 
ings were  fairly  well  attended,  l>nt  asthe  matter  had  been  left  entirely  in  the  hands  of 
the  farmers  and  no  systematic  efforl  made  for  the  organization  of  the  meetings,  it  is  not 
surprizing  that  a  largo  part  of  the  special  appropriation  made  by  the  board  for  holding 
i nst  it  utes  should  have  been  ret  u rued  to  them. 

To  Thomas  Whitehead,  commissioner  of  agriculture  during  the  period  under  dis- 
cussion, belongs  the  honor  of  first  endeavoring  to  organize  and  place  farmers'  institutes 
on  a  permanent  basis  in  the  State  of  Virginia.  His  efforts  for  the  time  and  under  the 
conditions  which  confronted  him  were  certainly  successful.  While  these  gatherings 
were  not  as  far-reaching  in  their  influence  as  those  of  the  present  day,  the  information 
given  out  was  of  immense  value  to  those  attending  and  has  paved  the  way  for  the  more 
systematic  efforts  which  the  board  of  agriculture  in  cooperation  with  the  Virgini . 
Experiment  Station  has  now  inaugurated. 

The  commissioner's  reports  for  the  years  1896,  1897,  and  1898  are  not  available,  and 
therefore  it  is  not  possible  to  say  just  what  progress  the  institute  movement  made  dur- 
ing that  peroid.  A  few  meetings  were  held  by  the  officers  of  the  experiment  station  at 
various  points  in  the  State  at  the  request  of  a  number  of  leading  farmers,  and  more 
would  have  been  held  but  for  the  fact  that  no  specific  appropriation  was  available  for 
the  work;  and  so,  while  the  station  and  college  authorities  fully  recognized  the  value  of 
institutes,  they  were  unable  to  take  a  very  active  part  in  them  because  of  a  lack  of 
funds,  but  the  institutes  have  always  had  their  cordial  support,  and  every  effort  ha3 
been  made  to  further  them.  Thomas  Whitehead  was  succeeded  by  G.  W,  Koiner  as 
commissioner  of  agriculture. 

In  Commissioner  Koiner's  report  for  the  year  1899  reference  is  made  to  the  value  of 
farmers'  institute  meetings  and  attention  is  called  to  the  excellent  work  being  done  in 
Wisconsin,  Iowa,  and  various  other  States  where  large  appropriations  were  made  for 
that  specific  purpose.  It  would  appear  from  this  statement  that  the  farmers'  institute 
movement  had  practically  died  out  in  Virginia.  No  report  is  available  as  to  where  or 
when  meetings  were  held  or  what  the  attendance  was.  The  item  of  expense  reads  as 
follows:  Appropriations  for  bulletins,  institutes,  and  reports,  $878.08.  It  is  not  likely, 
therefore,  that  many  meetings  were  held  within  the  year. 

In  the  report  for  1900  the  commissioner  states  that  seventeen  counties  were  visited 
and  that  the  meetings  were  fairly  successful.     No  reference  is  made  to  the  places  where 
the  meetings  were  held.     The  disbursements  of  the  board  show  that  $3,000  was  spent . 
for  these  meetings. 

Further  reference  is  made  to  the  institutes  in  the  report  for  1902,  but  no  account  is 
given  of  places  where  the  meetings  were  held  or  of  the  number  of  counties  visited. 
One  thousand  two  hundred  and  forty  dollars  was  spent  for  institute  work  according  to 
the  financial  statement  of  the  board. 

In  the  year  1903  the  commissioner's  report  states  that  "institute  meetings  have  been 
well  received."  The  number  is  not  given.  One  thousand  one  hundred  and  forty- 
nine  dollars  was  expended  that  year  for  institute  purposes.  In  1904  reference  is  made 
to  the  increased  demand  for  farmers'  institutes.  The  statement  of  expenditures  shows 
that  $1,610.10  was  used  for  conducting  them. 

Until  1903  the  holding  of  farmers'  institutes  was  practically  under  the  direction  of 
the  commissioner  of  agriculture,  but  with  the  adoption  of  the  new  constitution  in  that 


88 

year  an  appropriation  of  $500  from  the  general  revenues  of  the  State  board  of  agriculture 
was  made  to  each  member  of  the  board  for  holding  institutes  in  his  Congressional  dis- 
trict." 

At  a  joint  meeting  of  the  State  hoard  of  agriculture  and  the  hoard  of  control  of  the 
Virginia  Polytechnic  Institute,  held  about  a  year  ago,  a  plan  of  cooperation  between 
the  two  boards  was  decided  on,  whereby  the  members  of  the  experiment  station  staff 
were  made  available  as  led  urers  at  farmers'  institutes  in  the  State.  Since  that  time  a 
number  of  members  of  the  board  have  seen  lit  to  avail  themselves  of  the  services  of  the 
various  members  of  the  experiment  station  staff,  and  about  thirty  institutes  have  been 
held  in  the  last  six  months  in  five  Congressional  districts  of  the  State  at  the  following 
places:  Roanoke,  Wytheville,  Danville,  Stuart,  Rocky  Mount,  Martinsville,  Tazewell, 
Pearisburg,  Abingdon,  Gate  City,  Pulaski,  Harrisonburg,  New  Market,  Strasburg, 
Winchester,  Berryville,  Luray,  Eastville,  Onley,  Hall  wood,  *  Mathews,  Gloucester, 
Orange,  Culpeper,  Crewe,  The  Plains,  Fairfax,  and  Leesburg.  The  experiment  sta- 
tion officers  have  assisted  in  organizing  and  conducting  these  meetings  and  are  making 
every  effort  in  their  power  to  promote  the  development  of  the  farmers'  institute  move- 
ment in  the  State,  tho  unpaid  for  this  service.  The  meetings  have  been  well  attended, 
the  average  not  falling  far  short  of  two  hundred.  Considering  that  this  is  one  of  the  first 
efforts  made  in  the  State  to  hold  institutes  in  a  systematic  manner,  the  results  are  par- 
ticularly gratifying.  The  farmers  attending  have  evidenced  the  greatest  interest  in 
the  meetings,  both  by  their  presence  and  the  variety  and  number  of  questions  asked 
the  speakers.  In  every  county  visited  there  has  been  a  request  for  a  meeting  next 
year,  and  if  the  good  work  so  well  commenced  is  followed  up  by  the  individual  mem- 
bers of  the  board  a  new  era  in  farmers'  institutes  in  Virginia  is  in  sight. 

The  value  of  farmers'  institutes  is  so  clearly  recognized  and  their  merits  have  been 
so  fully  set  forth  before  the  public  that  it  is  not  necessary  to  further  emphasize  this 
point.  The  discussion  of  important  subjects  in  these  meetings  will  certainly  be  pro- 
ductive of  much  good.  All  that  seems  to  be  needed  in  Virginia  in  order  to  make  the 
farmers'  institute  movement  a  permanent  and  successful  means  of  improving  and 
ameliorating  agricultural  conditions,  disseminating  useful  and  practical  information, 
and  adding  materially  to  the  development  of  the  State,  is  a  definite  and  aggressive 
policy  with  regard  to  the  organization  of  the  meetings  in  the  several  Congressional  dis- 
tricts. The  fact  that  the  farmers  are  ready  and  anxious  to  avail  themselves  of  the 
information  to  be  obtained  thru  these  meetings  has  been  very  clearly  demonstrated  in 
every  county  where  the  meetings  have  been  properly  advertised. 

WASHINGTON. 

In  an  act  approved  March  28,  1890.  creating  a  commission  of  technical  instruction  to 
establish  a  college  of  agriculture  and  mechanic  arts  in  accordance  with  the  provisions 
of  the  land-grant  act  of  1862  of  the  General  Government,  the  general  scheme  of  instruc- 
tion and  methods  for  carrying  out  the  processes  of  the  new  institution  were  specifically 
set  forth.  In  section  3  of  this  act  a  required  part  of  the  work  of  the  college  is  definitely 
stated  to  be  "to  hold  farmers'  institutes  at  such  times  and  places  and  under  such  regu- 
lations as  it  may  determine."  This  was  reaffirmed  in  1897  in  an  act  defining  the  duties 
of  the  State  Agricultural  College  and  School  of  Science. 

Immediately  upon  the  opening  of  the  agricultural  and  mechanical  college  the  first 
of  a  series  of  farmers'  institutes  was  held  under  the  auspices  of  the  college  at  Colton  on 
January  30,  1892,  C.  W.  Richardson  presiding,  with  E.  E.  Alton  as  secretary.  There 
were  62  persons  in  attendance.  The  college  was  represented  by  President  Lilly  and 
Professors  Scobey,  Lake,  and  Munn.  The  subjects  discust  were  the  purposes  and 
aims  of  the  Washington  Agricultural  College,  dairy  farming,  the  tree  crop  for  eastern 
Washington. 

a  There  are  ten  Congressional  districts  in  the  State. 


89 

The  second  institute  of  the  series  convened  at  Garfield,  Whitman  CJounty,  Saturday, 
February  20,  L892.  President  Lilly  called  the  meeting  I  i  order,  whereupon  Senator 
A  .C.  McCroskey  was  elected  chairman  and  A.  s.  Beach,  secretary. 

The  chairman,  in  announcing  the  object  of  the  meeting,  Btated  that  the  agricull  ural 
college  faculty  were  present  to  discuss  with  others  various  subjects  of  interest  I  i  farm- 
ers and  also  to  extend  the  objects  and  workings  of  the  college.     The  formers  were  pr<  - 
cut  to  aid  in  the  consideration  of  the  subjects  to  be  disCUSt.      The  number  in  attend- 
ance is  given  at  137. 

The  third  institute  was  held  at  Po  oeroy,  Garfield  County,  Saturday,  May  L5,  L902. 
President  Lilly,  railing  the  meeting  to  order,  stated  i  he  cfbjecl  I  >  be  that  of  discussing 
the  various  subjects  of  interest  t  t  the  farmer  and  fruit  grower,  and  also  to  explain  the 
objects  and  workings  of  the  college,  and  bring  the  college  faculty  in  close  touch  and 
sympathy  with  the  industrial  interests  and  people  of  the  entire  State.  At  this  meeting 
there  were  109  persons  in  attendance. 

The  legislature  at  its  session  of  1902  past  an  act  making  appropriation  for  farmers1 
institutes  in  which  the  number  to  be  held  each  year  is  definitely  stated.  The  clause  is 
as  follows: 

For  maintenance  and  conducting  farmers'  institutes  under  direct  ion  of  the  regents  of 
the  Washington  Agricultural  College  and  School  of  Science.  $2,500  per  year:  Provided, 
That  at  least  one  institute  shall  be  held  in  each  county  of  the  State  in  each  year. 

Under  the  existing  organization  the  president  of  the  college  is  the  superintendent  of 
farmers'  institutes  and  the  dean  of  agriculture  is  the  field  agent  and  has  direct  cont  ml 
of  the  execution  of  the  work.  The  State  is  districted  into  four  circuits — northwest. 
southwest,  northeast,  and  central — with  an  organizer  in  charge  of  each  circuit.  ( Jounty 
organizations  have  been  established  thruout  the  State,  which  are  intrusted  with  the 
duty  of  making  local  arrangements  for  institute  meetings.  In  1894,  57  institutes  were 
held;  12  were  one-day,  44  were  two-day,  and  1  was  a  three-day  institute.  The  total 
number  of  sessions  was  259,  and  the  attendance  is  given  at  15,922.  Twelve  speakers 
are  upon  the  State  institute  force;  8  of  these  are  from  the  faculty  of  the  agricultural 
college  and  the  staff  of  the  experiment  station. 

WEST   VIRGINIA. 

The  first  movement  for  the  organization  of  a  system  of  State  and  county  farmers' 
institutes  in  West  Virginia  was  made  by  A.  D.  Hopkins,  of  Kanawha  Station.  Wood 
County,  who  issued  a  call  on  February  10,  1889,  for  a  meeting  of  farmers  to  be  held  at 
the  residence  of  Omar  Page,  Lockharts  Run  (now  Roosevelt).  Wood  County,  on 
February  16,  1889. 

This  meeting  was  held  at  the  time  and  place  designated,  with  a  number  of  farmers 
present  and  with  Omar  Page  in  the  chair,  and  A.  D.  Hopkins,  secretary.  The  object 
of  the  meeting  was  explained  by  the  secretary  as  follows: 

The  object  of  this  meeting  is  to  take  steps  toward  organizing  a  State  farmers'  institute 
society  for  the  purpose  of  organizing  and  conducting  a  system  of  fanners'  institutes. 
farmers'  clubs,  and  farmers'  meetings  in  Wood  County,  and  to  assist  in  extending  the 
system  thruout  the  State. 

The  plan  proposed  to  organize  a  society  to  be  known  as  the  •Fanners'  Institute 
Society  of  West  Virginia,"  the  membership  to  be  composed  of  farmers  and  others  in 
Wood  and  other  counties  of  the  State  who  were  interested  in  agricultural  pursuits. 
The  society  was  to  have  for  its  main  object  the  organization  of  a  system  of  farmers' 
institutes  in  the  counties  represented  by  the  members,  and  to  assist  in  extending  the 
system  to  other  counties  of  the  State  with  a  view  to  establishing  the  work  upon  a  uni- 
versal and  cooperative  plan  as  follows: 

Members  of  the  State  society  were  to  organize  county  institute  societies:  members 
of  the  county  societies  were  to  organize  farmers'  clubs  and  special  meetings.  The 
membership  fees  and  annual  dues  for  farmers'  clubs,  5  cents;  for  count}  institutes.  20 


90 

cents,  and  for  State  institute  societies,  50  to  75  cents;  the  money  thus  collected  to  be 
used  by  cadi  club  or  society  for  the  necessary  expenses  of  conducting  their  respective 
meetings  and  institutes.  The  farmers'  clubs  were  to  be  open  to  members  and  invited 
guests;   the  county  institutes  to  be  open  and  free  to  all  who  desired  to  attend. 

The  secretaries  of  the  clubs,  societies,  and  meetings  were  to  keep  a  record  of  pro- 
grams and  important  and  interesting  tacts  presented  at  such  meetings  and  report  the 
same  in  writing  to  the  secretary  of  the  State  society,  who  would  also  act  as  general 
superintendent  of  the  system  and  furnish  an  annual  report  for  publication. 

The  State  society  was  to  hold  one  or  two  institutes  each  year,  to  which  county 
societies  and  farmers'  clubs  would  be  expected  to  send  delegates  and  speakers,  assist 
in  obtaining  special  lecturers,  and  in  securing  an  audience. 

For  tin1  financial  support  of  the  proposed  system  membership  fees,  annual  dues, 
and  individual  contributions  were  to  be  depended  upon  until  State  aid  was  secured. 

After  a  discussion  of  the  plan  it  was  decided  to  call  a  meeting  of  the  farmers  of 
Wood  and  adjoining  counties  for  the  purpose  of  discussing  the  matter  further  and  to 
take  some  active  steps  toward  the  proposed  organization.  March  13  was  selected  as 
the  day  of  meeting,  and  the  place  the  court-house  in  Parkersburg.  A  circular  letter 
dated  March  2,  L889,  was  prepared  and  sent  out,  and  notices  were  also  given  by  the 
county  papers  calling  attention  to  the  meeting,  and  referring  to  the  necessity  of  farmers' 
institutes  being  conducted  in  West  Virigina  as  they  were  now  being  held  in  Ohio  and 
other  States. 

The  meeting  was  held  at  the  time  and  place  mentioned  and  was  attended  by  some 
of  the  most  progressive  and  intelligent  farmers  of  that  section  of  the  State.  S.  S.  Stone, 
of  Selden,  Wood  County,  was  chosen  temporary  chairman,  and  A.  D.  Hopkins  secretary. 

The  director  of  the  experiment  station,  John  A.  Myers,  was  present,  and  in  his 
address  explained  the  objects  of  the  experiment  stations  and  how  the  experiments 
and  investigations  would  benefit  the  farmers.  In  closing  he  referred  to  the  farmers' 
institute  as  one  of  the  best  educational  institutions  for  farmers  that  was  ever  started, 
and  that  he  would  like  to  see  them  organized  in  every  county  in  the  State. 

The  plan  of  organization  for  farmers'  institutes  that  had  been  presented  by  Mr. 
Hopkins  at  the  February  meeting  was  taken  up  and  discust,  after  which  the  sec- 
retary moved  that  steps  be  taken  toward  effecting  a  permanent  organization.  This 
was  carried,  and  15  names  were  presented  for  charter  membership.  On  motion  of 
A.  A .  Keller,  the  organization  was  made  permanent,  and  the  temporary  officers  were 
retained. 

The  secretary  then  presented  a  draft  of  a  constitution  for  an  institute  society,  which 
was  referred  to  A.  A.  Keller  and  James  McMechen,  the  president  and  secretary,  a 
committee  to  report  a  constitution  to  a  succeeding  meeting. 

This  committee  met  at  the  Commercial  Hotel  in  Parkersburg  on  March  16  and  23 
and  decided  upon  a  constitution,  which  was  reported  to  a  general  meeting  of  the 
society  at  Parkersburg  on  June  1,  1889,  and  adopted.  The  Farmers'  Institute  Society 
of  West  Virginia  was  then  permanently  organized,  with  S.  S.  Stone  president,  J.  T. 
McMechen  vice-president,  A.  D.  Hopkins  secretary,  and  Omar  Page  treasurer. 

The  constitution,  as  adopted,  provided  for  the  election  of  a  president,  vice-president, 
secretary,  and  treasurer.  The  secretary  was  made  superintendent  of  institutes,  and 
was  empowered  and  directed  to  form  neighborhood  farmers'  clubs.  A  membership 
fee  of  25  cents  was  fixt  as  the  annual  dues  of  each  person. 

Under  this  organization  a  "Strawberry"  meeting  was  held  at  the  store  of  J.  W. 
Dudley  on  June  8,  1889.  The  fruit  committee  held  another  meeting  at  the  fair  grounds 
in  Parkersburg  on  Jul)  27.  and  a  picnic  and  farmers'  institute  was  held  on  August  15, 
at  which  T.  B.  Terry,  of  Ohio,  was  engaged  to  lecture.  This  was  the  first  regular  insti- 
tute held  by  the  society  and  was  very  successful.  About  300  persons  were  in 
attendance. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  society  held  in  December  arrangements  were  made  for  the  hold- 
ing of  an  institute  at  the  court-house  in  Parkersburg  on  January  21  and  22,  1890. 


91 

This  meeting  proved  a  success  beyond  all  expectation.  John  A.  Myers  of  the  experi- 
ment si  a  i  ion;  D.  D.  Johnson,  of  Tyler  County;  Oliver  < lands,  of  Pleasants  County;  I>.  C 
White,  of  Pennsylvania;  A.  A.  Kellar,  Judge  Loomis,  Mayor  J,  B.  Gibbens,  J.  A. 
Butchinton,  II.  C.  Eenderson,  ami  A.  I).  Hopkins,  of  Wood  County,  were  the  prin- 
cipal speakers. 

An  evening  session  was  held  I'm-  i  he  purpose  of  discussing  plans  for  Interesting  form- 
ers thruoul  the  Stale  in  institute  work  and  to  lake  steps  toward  securing  State  and 
other  aid  in  carrying  out  the  objects  of  the  Farmers'  [nstitute  Society  of  Wesl  Virginia. 

At  the  close  <  f  the  institute  S.  S.  Stone,  I).  I).  Johnson,  and  John  A.  Hutchinson 
were  appointed  a  committee  to  go  before  the  legislal  lire,  t  hen  in  session,  and  urge  upon 
that  body  the  importance  of  appropriating  an  amount  of  money  sufficient  to  enable 
this  society,  the  board  of  regents  of  the  State  University,  or  both,  to  organize  and  con- 
duct farmers'  institutes  in  the  State.  Three  bills  were  prepared  by  A.  I).  Hopkins 
and  submitted  to  this  committee  on  February  3,  1890,  one  of  which  wag  selected  and 
presented  on  February  10  by  the  committee  before  the  joint  committee  of  finance  cf 
the  senate  and  house,  asking  for  an  appropriation  of  $5,000  for  farmers'  inst  itute  work. 
The  bill  past  the  house,  giving  the  Farmers'  Institute  Society  of  West  Virginia  $2,000 
for  the  purpose  cf  holding  farmers'  institutes,  the  vote  standing  3(i  to  J5.  The  hill 
then  went  to  the  senate,  where  an  amendment  was  made  to  strike  out  the  Farmers' 
Institute  Society  and  insert  the  board  of  regents  of  the  West  Virginia  University,  which 
was  carried.  An  amendment  was  then  proposed  to  place  the  funds  under  the  control 
of  the  executive  committee  cf  the  board  of  regents  for  the  experiment  station,  which 
also  carried.  At  this  point  unexpected  opposition  was  encountered.  Senator  Knott, 
of  Jefferson  County,  the  master  of  the  State  Grange,  moved  to  strike  out  the  entire 
clause  making  the  appropriation,  and  as  this  was  offered  by  the  farmers'  represent  at  i  ve 
in  the  senate,  it  carried  and  the  bill  was  defeated. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  society  April  29,  1890,  in  Parkersburg,  the  secretary,  in  an  addn  as 
upon  the  subject  of  farmers'  institutes,  discussing  the  failure  of  the  State  appropri- 
ation, stated: 

It  appears  now  that  the  only  available  resource  from  which  we  can  look  for  aid  is 
thru  the  board  cf  regents  of  the  State  University.  I  would  therefore  move  that 
someone  be  appointed  to  attend  the  annual  meeting  of  the  board  at  Morgantown  next 
June  to  solicit  such  aid  in  this  work  as  is  in  their  power  to  give,  until  we  can  determine 
whether  or  not  State  aid  will  be  extended  at  the  next  session  of  the  legislature. 

After  a  discussion  the  secretary  was  appointed  to  go  before  the  board  of  regents  of  1 1n- 
state University  at  its  annual  meeting  in  June  and  solicit  aid  from  that  body  in  estab- 
lishing institute  work  in  the  State.  On  June  11  the  secretary,  in  pursuance  of  this 
action,  presented  the  resolutions  of  the  society  before  the  board  of  regents  and  requested 
them,  in  the  name  of  the  institute  society,  to  assist  it  in  holding  a  State  institute  at 
Parkersburg  in  August,  and  to  otherwise  assist  the  society  in  extending  a  system  <  f 
farmers'  institutes  to  other  counties  of  the  State.  The  board  of  regents,  in  compliance 
with  this  request,  appointed  D.  D.  Johnson,  of  the  agricultural  experiment  station,  to 
assist  in  organizing  county  farmers'  institutes  in  the  different  counties  of  the  State, 
his  expenses  being  paid  out  cf  the  station  fund.  Colonel  Johnson  proceeded  to  organize 
county  institutes  during  the  following  month  (July,  1890)  in  Lewis,  Harrison,  and 
Barbour  counties. 

In  the  meantime  the  institute  society  took  active  steps  toward  holding  a  State 
institute  at  Parkersburg  on  August  28  and  29,  1890.  The  institute  was  held  at  the 
time  and  place  mentioned,  but  was  only  a  partial  success. 

During  December,  1890,  Colonel  Johnson  conducted  farmers'  institutes  in  Marshall, 
Wetzel,  Tyler,  and  Pleasants  counties. 

On  January  21,  1891,  the  director  of  the  experiment  station  and  the  secretary  of  the 
Farmers'  Institute  Society  arranged  for  a  series  of  farmers'  institutes  which  were  con- 
ducted by  members  of  the  experiment  station  staff,  assisted  by  county  institute 
societies   and   individual  farmers    in  Wood,  Barbour,  Mineral,   Berkeley,  Monroe, 


92 

Kanawha,  Cabell,  Mason,  and  Jackson  counties.  Two  days  were  devoted  to  cadi 
institute,  including  oneor  two  nighl  sessions.  Other  institutes  were  held  during  the 
year. 

The  legislature  of  189]  had  provided  for  the  formation  i  i  a  State  board  of  agriculture, 
which  took  up  the  work  and  conduct*  d  a  Beriee  of  institutes  thruoul  the  State  in  Green- 
brier, Wood.  Harrison.  Berkeley,  and  Jefferson  counties,  and  assistance  was  rendered 
in  conducting  these  institutes  by  members  of  the  experiment  station  staff. 

The  second  semiannual  meeting  of  the  State  Board  of  Agriculture  of  West  Virginia 
was  held  at  Morgantown  ( October  5, 1891.  There  were  present  T.  C.  Atkeson,  president. 
B.  F.  Fisher,  C.  R.  Sperrow,  J.  M.  Rowan,  and  II.  M.  Turner,  secretary.  To  this 
session  the  director  and  members  <  f  the  State  experiment  station  and  the  members  i  f 
the  board  of  regents  of  the  State  University  were  invited  to  meet  the  board  for  the  pur- 
pose of  exchanging  views  upon  matters  pertaining  to  the  work  for  which  the  State 
board  of  agriculture  had  been  established.  D.  D.  Johnson,  agriculturist  of  the  exper- 
iment station,  ^addrest  the  board  relative  to  its  future  work  in  cooperation  with  the 
experiment  station.  He  spoke  of  the  difficulty  in  getting  the  farmers  of  the  State  to 
study  the  science  of  progress  in  farming,  and  the  tendency  to  find  fault  with  any  effort 
made  to  interest  them  in  institutes  and  other  work  that  would  be  likely  to  assist  them, 
and  he  also  spoke  of  the  advisability  of  the  board  and  the  director  c  f  the  experiment 
station  cooperating  in  the  institute  work.  A  committee,  consisting  of  members  of  the 
board  of  regents  cf  the  State  University,  met  with  the  board  at  a  special  session.  This 
committee  was  composed  of  the  following  gentlemen:  J.  A.  Robinson,  C.  L.  Smith. 
A.  E.  Bennett,  and  J.  F.  Brown.  There  were  also  present  at  the  meeting  J.  A.  Myers, 
director  of  the  experiment  station,  and  A.  D.  Hopkins,  entomologist.  Doctor  Myers 
addrest  the  meeting  at  some  length  upon  the  work  the  station  was  doing,  and  was 
followed  by  Major  Bennett,  Mr.  Brown,  and  others  of  the  committee  of  regents.  T.  ( '. 
Atkeson,  president  of  the  board  of  agriculture,  addrest  the  meeting  and  stated  that  the 
board  desired  to  act  in  harmony  with  the  university  and  station. 

Mr.  Brown,  of  the  committee  of  the  board  cf  regents,  offered  the  following  resolution: 

Resolved,  That  it  is  the  sense  of  this  committee  that  the  agriculturist  do,  upon  such 
reasonable  occasions  as  may  be  approved  by  the  director  of  the  station,  attend  and 
lecture  upon  appropriate  subjects  at  the  institutes  held  thru  the  State  under  the 
auspices  of  the  State  board  of  agriculture,  and  that  permission  be  granted  the  professor 
of  agriculture  in  like  manner  to  attend  and  lecture  at  such  institutes,  with  the  approval 
cf  the  executive  committee,  and  this  resolution  shall  apply  as  well  to  the  director  of  the 
station  and  to  the  other  members  cf  the  station  staff,  the  latter  at  the  direction  of  the 
said  director:  and  it  is  further 

Resolved.  That  the  actual  traveling  expenses  of  such  agriculturist  and  professor  in 
and  about  said  business  shall  be  paid  out  of  such  funds  of  the  station  and  department 
as  may  be  available  therefor. 

The  resolution  was  adopted  and  the  meeting  adjourned. 

The  board  cf  agriculture  met  the  next  day,  October  7,  1891,  in  the  library  of  the 
experiment  station,  and  upon  invitation  J.  A.  Myers,  director,  and  the  station  staff, 
appeared  and  a  joint  meeting  was  held.  The  resolution  past  by  the  committee  of 
university  regents  was  read  and  thoroly  diseust.  A  plan  was  finally  agreed  upon  for 
holding  fanners"  institutes  in  each  Congressional  district  in  the  State  and  accordingly 
there  were  held,  under  the  auspices  cf  the  board,  institutes  at  the  following  places: 
Ronceverte,  November  5  and  6;  Parkersburg,  November  9  and  10;  Clarksburg,  Novem- 
ber 17  and  18,  and  Charlestown.  November  19  and  20.  The  experiment  station  staff 
held  institutes  at  Kingwood  and  other  places  in  the  State  about  the  same  time. 

The  tanners  were  slow  to  realize  the  value  of  the  institutes,  and  the  work  did  not 
progress  very  rapidly  for  some  time,  except  in  Ohio  County,  where  a  society  had  been 
organized  by  the  local  fanners  and  an  active  interest  taken  in  the  institutes.  The 
firsl  institute  held  in  Ohio  County  met  at  Wheeling.  March  26  and  27.  1891,  and  a  per- 
manent society  was  organized  with  the  following  officers:  J.  M.  Brown,  president:  J.  W. 
Garvin,  vice-president;  J.  G.  Leasure.  secretary,  and  L.  P.  Sisson,  treasurer.     This 


93 

organization  was  maintained  by  ita  members  until  L896,  when  it  received  assistance 
from  the  State  board  of  agriculture.  From  March,  L891,  to  January  30,  L904,  from  one 
to  two  successful  institutes  wen-  held  cadi  year. 

Id  [892  a  farmers'  agricultural  society  was  organized  at  Pleasant  Valley,  Marshall 
County,  which  held  regular  meet  ings  for  the  djscussion  of  farm  topics.  This  organisa- 
tion formed  the  nucleus  of  whal  may  be  considered  one  of  the  best  institute  organisa- 
tions in  the  State.  The  meetings  are  well  attended  by  the  farmers  and  their  families, 
and  one  session  of  each  institute  is  devoted  to  domestic  science.  A  Bimilarorganizat  ion 
has  been  maintained  in  Barbour  County  for  several  years,  where  the  farmers  of  the'r 
own  accord  hold  regular  meetings  for  the  purpose  of  "educating  the  mind  and  i raining 
the  hand."  It  is  easy  to  understand  why  such  a  county  is  called  one  of  the  banner 
institute  counties  of  the  State.  The  society  meets  regularly  each  month,  in  addition 
to  holding  one  or  t  w<  i  annual  insl  ittttes. 

These  counties  are  referred  to  in  this  connection  because  of  the  progressive  spirit  they 
manifested  in  the  early  history  of  the  insl  itute  movement  in  the  State.  ( ireat  progress 
is  being  made  in  many  of  the  other  counties,  where  from  one  to  four  institutes  are  held 
each  year. 

From  March,  1891,  until  October,  1897,  the  institutes  were  mostly  conducted  by  the 
members  of  the  board,  each  member  being  assigned  to  look  after  the  institutes  in  his 
district.  No  compensation  was  allowed  for  the  time  and  services  rendered.  Actual 
traveling  expenses  incurred  were  paid  out  of  the  appropriation  made  to  meet  the 
current  expenses  of  the  hoard.  Gradually  the  farmers  began  to  appreciate  the  work 
that  was  being  done  to  improve  their  condition,  which  created  a  greater  demand  for 
institutes. 

It  was  soon  found  that  some  special  effort  must  be  made  to  meet  the  demands  of  the 
farmers  for  additional  meetings  and  also  to  extend  the  institutes  into  the  more  remote 
sections  of  the  State. 

With  this  in  view,  a  resolution  was  past  at  a  meeting  of  the  board  held  October  4, 
1897,  creating  the  office  of  institute  director,  and  C.  C.  Brown,  of  Charleston,  was 
elected  to  the  office  for  the  term  of  two  years.  In  prescribing  the  duties  of  the  director 
the  resolution  says,  in  part : 

The  duties  of  said  director  shall  be  to  superintend  and  have  direction  of  and  arrange 
for  the  holding  of  all  farmers'  institutes  in  the  State,  under  such  rules  and  regulations 
as  may  be  prescribed  by  the  board,  and  as  set  forth  in  chapter  22,  section  5,  of  the  act 
of  1895. 

Under  the  supervision  of  the  institute  director,  a  special  effort  was  made  to  hold  at 
least  one  institute  in  each  county,  and  the  work  was  prosecuted  with  more  or  less  suc- 
cess. In  some  parts  of  the  State  they  were  missionary  in  character,  since  they  opened 
the  way  for  the  performance  of  a  more  substantial  work  in  the  future.  The  success 
attending  the  efforts  of  the  institute  director  fulfilled  the  hopes  that  inspired  his 
appointment  to  the  extent  that  the  office  was  continued. 

At  the  meeting  of  the  board,  October  18,  1899.  D.  M.  Sullivan  was  elected  institute 
director  for  the  t  erm  oft  wo  years .  The  na  m  e  of  the  office  was  changed  at  the  meeting 
of  the  board  held  April  7,  1902.  to  that  of  superintendent  of  institutes,  and  J.  B.  Garvin 
was  elected  for  the  remainder  of  that  t  erm.  At  a  meeting  held  October  5,  1903,  he  was 
reelected  for  the  term  of  two  years. 

Various  plans  have  been  devised  to  create  interest  among  the  farmers  and  to  insure 
good  attendance  at  the  meetings,  so  that  the  board  might  be  justified  in  sending  out 
first-class  instructors.  A  recent  plan  adopted  by  the  board  is  to  require  that  petitions 
be  sent  in  requesting  institutes.  Each  society  is  furnished  with  two  blank  petitions 
for  the  purpose  of  securing  the  names  of  farmers  who  agree  to  help  work  up  the  insl  it  ute. 
One  copy  of  the  petition,  signed  by  at  least  ten  or  more  farmers,  is  returned  to  the 
office  of  the  superintendent  of  institutes,  where  it  is  placed  on  file.  One  copy  is  kept 
by  the  secretary  of  the  local  society.  Ample  time  is  given  for  circulating  and 
returning  these  petitions  before  the  institute  committee  meets. 


94 

The  institute  committee  is  appointed  by  the  board,  and  consists  of  two  members 
of  the  board  and  the  superintendent  of  institutes.  The  committee  examines  and  con- 
siders each  petition  and  arranges  the  places  and  dates  into  divisions.  The  committee 
also  selects  the  institute  instructors  who  are  to  have  charge  of  the  different  divisions. 
When  this  work  is  completed,  a  listof  topics  is  furnished  the  local  committee  of  each 
society,  from  which  topics  for  the  program  are  selected  and  returned  to  the  office  of 
the  superintendent  of  institutes,  who  has  them  printed  and  returned,  together  with 
printed  posters  to  be  used  for  advertising  the  meetings.  It  is  urged  that  due  notice  of 
the  meetings  be  published  in  the  local  papers.  Circular  letters  are  also  mailed  to  indi- 
vidual farmers  in  the  community  where  the  institute  is  to  be  held,  signed  by  the 
instructor  who  is  to  have  charge,  and  printed  postal  cards  are  furnished  the  secretaries, 
to  be  used  in  a  similar  manner.  * 

This  plan  systematically  carried  out  has  been  more  successful  than  any  other  which 
has  yet  been  tried.  From  80  to  90  institutes  are  held  each  year  in  the  55  counties  of  the 
State. 

WISCONSIN. 

In  Wisconsin  the  State  Agricultural  Society,  the  Northern  Wisconsin  Agricultural 
Society,  the  Dairymen's  Association,  and  the  Horticultural  Society  all  were  holding 
meetings  of  an  institute  nature,  and  Doctor  Henry,  of  the  agricultural  college,  had  held 
farmers'  meetings  at  different  points  in  the  State  long  before  the  State  system  of  farmers' 
institutes  was  thought  of.  and  it  is  more  than  probable  that  the  effects  of  these  agri- 
cultural meetings,  or  institutes,  and  the  good  they  were  doing,  had  much  to  do  in 
bringing  about  the  establishment  of  an  organized  State  system. 

The  law  establishing  a  system  of  farmers'  institutes  for  Wisconsin  was  introduced  into 
the  Wisconsin  legislature  of  1884-85  by  C.  E.  Estabrook,  of  Milwaukee. 

The  bill  introduced  by  Mr.  Estabrook  past  the  Wisconsin  legislature  in  1885.  The 
act  carried  with  it  an  annual  appropriation  of  $5,000.  Two  years  later  it  was  amended 
and  the  appropriation  was  increased  to  $12,000  per  annum. a 

The  amended  act  gave  authority  to  the  board  of  regents  of  the  State  University  to 
hold  farmers'  institutes  and  empowered  the  board  to  make  such  rules  for  their  regula- 
tion as  it  might  deem  proper. 

The  farm  committee  of  the  university  board  of  regents  selected  the  late  W.  H.  Morri- 
son as  the  first  superintendent,  with  an  office  room  in  the  capitol  building,  and  gave 
him  almost  absolute  power  in  organizing  and  perfecting  the  institute  system.  Since 
1894  the  present  superintendent  has  conducted  the  work. 

Mr.  Morrison  had  experience  as  a  farmer,  county  superintendent  of  schools,  and  sec- 
retary of  the  well-known  Walworth  County  Agricultural  Society,  whose  annual  fairs 
have  become  celebrated  thruout  the  State  and  country.  His  good  judgment  and 
remarkable  organizing  ability  rapidly  brought  the  Wisconsin  system  of  institutes  into 
such  good  working  order  that  other  States  and  Provinces,  formulating  systems  for  them- 
selves, drew  upon  Mr.  Morrison  very  largely  for  their  plans.  An  average  of  44  meetings 
were  held  during  the  first  two  years  with  the  $5,000  appropriation.  During  the  next 
seven  years  an  average  of  70  meetings  were  held,  and  in  the  past  ten  years  an  average 
of  112  have  been  held  annually,  with  11  cooking  schools  additional,  each  season  during 
the  past  eight  years.  For  the  past  ten  years  the  aggregate  attendance  has  been  about 
50.000  per  year. 

The  Wisconsin  institutes  are  what  the  name  indicates — genuine  farmers'  institutes, 
being  actually  held  by  the  farmers  themselves.  The  superintendents  of  the  work 
both  have  been  practical  farmers,  and  the  workers  are  chosen  from  the  best  farmers  in 
the  State,  those  whose  live  stock  and  farm  products  have  won  prizes  at  the  greatest 
shows  in  the  country  and  have  topt  the  best  markets  for  farm  products;  men  who 
had  a  reputation,  not  only  in  their  own  localities  but  thruout  the  State,  as  its  best 

a  See  U.  S.  Dept.  Agr.,  Office  of  Experiment  Stations  Bui.  135  (Revised),  p.  34. 


95 

stock  breeders  and  formers  before  they  were  called  to  the  institute  platform.  The 
fanners  ask  for  these  meetings  and  feel  thai  they  are  their  own. 

During  1886-87  Superintendent  Morrison  became  convinced  thai  the  best  thoughts 
and  suggestions  brought  oul  in  the  different  discussions  Bhould  be  preserved,  a n< I 
accordingly  began  the  publication  of  the  Wisconsin  Farmers1  [nstitute  Bulletin.  This 
has  been  continued  annually.  The  material  for  this  bulletin  is  secured  by  holding  a 
round-up  institute,  at  which  the  institute  workers  of  the  State  are  brought  together 
along  with  some  of  the  professors  from  the  agricultural  college  and  a  number  of  institute 
lecturers  from  ether  States.  The  papers,  addresses,  and  discussions  presented  at  this 
meeting  arc  stenqgraphically  reported  and  edited  into  a  bulletin. 

In  1887,  31.000  copies  of  Bulletin  No.  1  were  issued.  In  1890  the  issue  was  increased 
to  40,000,  in  L895  to  50.000.  and  in  1890  to  (50.000.  One  hundred  thousand  could  now 
be  profitably  used,  but  the  funds  will  not  permit  the  publication  of  so  large  an  issue. 
Eight  thousand  cloth-hound  bulletins  are  turned  over  to  the  superintendent  of  public 
instruction  to  he  placed  in  the  school  district  libraries  of  the  State.  The  balance  of 
them  are  distributed  at  the  institutes  and  thru  the  local  press,  creameries,  cheese  fac- 
tories, farmers'  clubs,  agricultural  societies,  farmers,  and  business  men. 

The  cost  of  the  preparation,  editing,  printing,  and  distributing  of  this  bulletin  of  :'i'() 
pages  is  about  $6,000.  Part  of  this,  however,  is  returned  from  funds  received  for  the 
limited  amount  of  advertising  placed  in  its  pages. 

Midwinter  fairs  under  the  local  management  are  held  in  connection  with  many  of 
the  two-day  winter  institutes  where  prizes  for  products  of  the  farm  and  home,  varying 
in  amount  of  premiums  from  $10  up  to  $2,500.  have  been  offered.  Where  properly 
managed  this  fair  feature  adds  very  much  to  the  interest. 

The  methods  followed  in  conducting  Wisconsin  institutes  partake  both  of  the  fea- 
tures of  a  school  and  of  a  conference.  A  petition,  signed  by  farmers  and  business  men. 
is  sent  in  to  the  management,  in  which  they  proffer  a  free  hall  and  agree  to  look  after 
the  local  details  without  any  expense  to  the  State  fund.  The  institutes  are  located 
by  the  superintendent  by  selecting  from  the  places  making  application  in  such  a 
manner  as  to  best  cover  the  entire  State.  These  meetings  are  thoroly  advertised  by 
sending  out  posters  and  programs  and  by  notices  thru  the  local  press. 

The  winter  meetings  are  two  days  each.  Upon  the  first  day  three  sessions  are  held 
and  but  two  upon  the  second  day.  The  evening  session,  which  is  held  the  evening  of 
the  first  day,  is  devoted  to  educational  topics,  in  which  the  school  officers  usually  take 
part  with  the  institute  workers. 

In  attending  each  meeting  the  conductor  of  the  corps  of  workers  impresses  upon  the 
farmers  the  fact  that  it  is  their  meeting  and  that  they  are  expected  to  take  an  active 
part  in  all  the  discussions. 

The  speakers  give  an  opening  lecture  of  from  fifteen  to  twenty  minutes  in  length 
which  is  followed  by  a  twenty  to  thirty  minute  discussion,  the  greater  part  of  which  is 
devoted  to  asking  questions  by  the  farmers,  and  to  brief,  pointed  answers  to  the  same 
by  the  institute  workers,  with  an  occasional  short  statement  of  experience  and  experi- 
ments by  those  present. 

The  conductor  at  each  meeting  promptly  shuts  off  all  partizan  political  discussions 
or  statements  based  on  ignorance,  prejudice,  or  superstition.  Charts  are  used  exten- 
sively in  all  discussions.     Models  and  animals  are  also  sometimes  used. 

A  stock-judging  institute  was  held  a  few  years  ago  under  the  direction  of  the  super- 
intendent of  farmers'  institutes  at  the  Waukesha  County  Fair,  since  which  time  sev- 
eral  counties  have  adopted  the  plan  and  require  the  judges  to  briefly  state  the  reasons 
for  their  awards. 

All  meetings  are  reported  to  the  superintendent  by  the  conductors  in  charge.  The 
reports  of  each  meeting  aim  to  give  a  general  view  of  the  agricultural  conditions  of  the 
section  in  which  the  meeting  is  held  and  are  made  upon  uniform  blanks  furnished  to 
each  conductor  for  the  purpose.  One  object  of  these  reports  is  to  aid  the  superintend- 
ent in  planning  future  work  in  the  same  district. 


96 

Since  L895  from  10  to  L6  one-day  institutes  have  been  hold  in  the  timber  districts 
of  centra]  and  northern  Wisconsin,  where  fanners  are  making  homes  by  clearing  up 
the  timber  land  that  has  been  logged  over.     These  meetings  have  been  very  success* 

ful  and  in  great  demand,  and  we  believe  have  done  much  toward  developing  better 
methods  of  fanning,  better  bred  live  stock,  and  the  dairy  industry  in  particular.  Many 
cheese  and  butter  factories  have  been  established  as  the  results  of  these  meetings. 

The  farmers  of  Wisconsin  at  first  were  suspicious  of  the  farmers'  institutes,  looking 
upon  them  as  a  political  move  or  an  advertising  medium  for  stock  breeders  or  for  the 
agricultural  college  and  the  State  university,  and  quite  often  spoke  of  the  institute 
workers  and  speakers  as  theorists.  This  spirit  has  been  entirely  overcome  by  the 
employment  of  practical  fanners  as  institute  instructors,  until  now  the  farmers  of  Wis- 
consin have  full  confidence  in  the  institute  and  its  teachings. 

The  Wisconsin  system,  while  it  may  not  be  the  best  under  all  conditions  and  circum- 
stances, seems  to  be  very  satisfactory  to  Wisconsin  farmers.  It  lays  claim  to  being  the 
oldest  organized  State  system  in  the  country  and  has  been,  to  some  extent,  studied  by 
representatives  from  other  States  and  from  foreign  countries,  and  some  of  its  plans  have 
been  worked  into  many  systems  now  in  operation  thruout  the  country. 

The  work  in  Wisconsin  has  grown  and  developed  so  much  that  the  greatest  need  now 
is  more  funds  to  meet  the  many  calls  for  institutes  which  can  not  at  present  be  satisfied. 
So  far  as  Wisconsin  is  concerned,  farmers'  institutes  have  come  to  stay,  and  the  only 
question  now  is  how  to  keep  them  advancing  so  as  to  satisfy  the  demands  upon  them. 

WYOMING. 

The  first  active  steps  toward  establishing  farmers'  institutes  in  Wyoming  were  taken 
at  a  meeting  of  the  State  industrial  committee  held  at  Sheridan,  October  7-9,  1903. 

At  this  meeting,  in  pursuance  of  some  suggestions  made  before  the  committee  in  an 
address  by  the  Farmers'  Institute  Specialist  of  the  National  Department  of  Agricul- 
ture, steps  were  taken  by  representatives  of  the  State  agricultural  and  mechanical 
college,  and  of  the  State  agricultural  experiment  station  to  organize  the  institute  work 
and  endeavor  to  secure  an  appropriation  from  the  State  in  its  behalf. 

The  State  agricultural  college  and  the  experiment  station  had  been  planning  for  the 
organization  of  this  work  for  some  years  and  had  held  at  the  college  the  previous  year 
a  meeting  to  which  the  farmers  of  the  State  had  been  invited.  The  difficulties  due  to 
the  Bparsely  settled  condition  of  the  country  districts  and  the  lack  of  railroad  commu- 
nication made  it  impracticable  for  the  members  of  the  college  faculty  and  the  experi- 
ment station  staff  to  visit  the  rural  communities  without  additional  aid  from  some  source 
outside  of  the  college  and  station  funds  to  meet  the  expense. 

To  provide  for  this,  Director  B.  C.  Buff  urn,  of  the  State  experiment  station  prepared 
a  bill  which  was  presented  before  the  eighth  general  assembly  of  the  State  at  its  session 
of  1903-4,  which  was  incorporated  in  the  general  appropriation  bill  and  past. 

Th«'  portion  relating  to  farmers'  institutes  is  section  47  of  the  general  appropriation 
bill,  and  provides  $2,000  for  the  purpose  of  holding  farmers'  institutes  and  short  courses 
in  siock  judging,  agronomy,  and  general  farming,  the  meetings  to  be  arranged  at  such 
places  and  at  such  times  as  will  accommodate  the  people  of  the  community  in  which 
the  meetings  may  be  desired.  The  institutes  or  short  courses  are  placed  in  charge  of 
the  agricultural  department  of  the  university  which  arranges  the  necessary  details  of  the 
meetings.  The  board  of  trustees  of  the  universityis  given  authority  to  employ  instruct- 
ors and  lecturers,  to  provide  equipment,  and  to  meet  any  necessary  expenses  incident 
to  the  meetings. 

The  first  community  to  avail  itself  of  the  provisions  of  this  act  was  Cody,  Bighorn 
County,  where  Director  Buffum  conducted  a  three-day  institute  on  March  29,  30,  and 
31,  1905.  This  was  the  first  State  institute  held  in  Wyoming  and  will  be  followed  by 
others  at  the  close  of  the  fanning  season. 

o 


LIST  OF  PUBLICATIONS  OF  THE  OFFICE  OF  EXPERIMENT  STATIONS  ON 
FARMERS'  INSTITUTES. 

BULLETINS. 

Bullet  in  No.  79.— Farmers'  Insl  i  tut  es— History  an- 1  Status  in  the  United  States  and  Canada.     I'.y  If.  I.. 

Bailey.     Pp.34.     L900. 
Bulletin  No.  l  io.  -  Proceedings  of  the  Sixth  Annual  Meeting  of  the  American  Association  of  Farmers' 

Institute  Workers,  held  at  Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  September  is  and  \S,  1901.     Kdited  l.y  A.  C.  True,  l>.  J. 

Crosby,  and  <i.  C.  Creelman,     Pp.  55. 
Bulletin  No.  120.  —Proceedings  of  the  Seventh  Annual  Meeting  of  the  American  Association  of  Parmero' 

Instiiute  Workers,  held  at  Washington,  D.  C,  June  24-3B,  1902.     Edited  by  A.  C.  True  and   D.  J. 

Crosby  for  the  Office  of  Experiment  Stations  and  G.  ('.  Creelman  for  the  Association.    Pp.  lift. 
Bulletin  No.  135  (  Revised).— Legislation  Relating  to  Farmers'  Institutes  in  the  United  States.     By 

John  Hamilton,  Farmers'  Institute  Specialist.    Pp.  5.'}.    1905. 
Bulletin  No.  138.     Proceedings  of  the  Eighth  Annual  Meeting  of  the  American  Association  of  Farmers' 

Instil  ute  Workers,  held  at  Toronto,  Ontario,  June  23-2fi,  1903.    Edited  by  W.  II.  Beal  for  the  Office 

of  Experiment  Stations  and  G.  C.  Creelman  for  the  Association.    Pp.  119. 
Bulletin  No.  154.— Proceedings  of  the  Ninth  Annual  Meeting  of  the  American  Association  of  Farmers' 

Institute  Workers,  held  at  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  October  18-20,  1904.    Edited  by  W.  II.  Heal  and  John 

Hamilton  for  the  Office  of  Experiment  Stations  and  G.  C.  Creelman  for  the  Association.    Pp.  91. 
Bulletin  No.  1"».",.  -Agricultural  Instruction  for  Adults  in  the  British  Empire.    By  John  Hamilton. 

Pp.  98.    i'.«).->. 
Bulletin  No.  163.— Agricultural  Instruction  for  Adults  in  Continental  Countries.    By  John  Hamilton. 

Ppl32.     1905, 
Bulletin  No.  165.— Proceedings  of  the  Tenth  Annual  Meeting  of  the  American  Association  of  Farmers' 

Institute  Workers,  held  at  Washington,  P.  C,  November  9-11,  1905.     Edited  by  W.  If.  Beal  and 

John  Hamilton  for  the  Office  of  Experiment  Stations  and  G.  C.  Creelman  for  the  Association.   Pp.95. 
Bulletin  No.  166.— Course  in  Cheese  Making  for  Movable  Schools  of  Agriculture.    By  L.  L.  Van  Slyke. 

Pp.63.    1906. 

CIRCULAR. 

Circular  No.  51  (Revised). — List  of  State  Directors  of  Farmers'  Institutes  and  Institute  Lecturers  of 
the  United  States.    By  John  Hamilton.    Pp.  32.    1906. 

SEPARATES. 

Farmers'  Institutes  in  the  United  States.    By  D.  J.  Crosby.    Reprint  from  the  Annual  Report  of  the 

Office  of  Experiment  Strtions  for  the  year  ended  June  30,  1902.     Pp.  25. 
Farmers'  Institutes  in  the  United  States.    By  John  Hamilton.    Reprint  from  Annual  Report  of  the 

Office  of  Experiment  Stations  for  the  year  ended  June  30,  1903.    Pp.  57. 
Farmers' Institutes.    By  John  Hamilton.     Reprint  from  Yearbook,  Department  of  Agriculture,  1903- 

Pp.  10.  * 

Annual  Report  of  Farmers'  Institutes.    By  John  Hamilton.    Reprint  from  Annual  Report'Jgjtfle 

Office  of  Experiment  Stations  for  the  year  ended  June  30, 1904.    Pp.  58. 
Annua]  Report  of  Fanners'  Institutes.    By  John  Hamilton.    Reprint  from  Annual  Report  of  the 

Office  of  Experiment  Stations  for  the  year  ended  June  30,  1905.    Pp.  54. 
Farmers'  Institutes  in  the  United  States.    By  John  Hamilton.    Doc.  No.  711.    Pp.  20.    A  pamphlet 

prepared  for  distribution  at  the  Louisiana  Puchase  Exposition. 

LECTURES. 

Farmers'  Institute  Lecture  No.  1.  Syllabus  of  Illustrated  Lecture  on  the  Care  of  Milk,  accompanied 
with  44  lantern  slides.    By  R.  A.  Pearson.    Pp.  12.     1904. 

Farmers'  Institute  Lecture  No.  2.  Syllabus  of  Illustrated  Lecture  on  Potato  Diseases  and  their  Treat- 
ment, accompanied  with  47  lantern  slides.    By  F.  C.  Stewart  and  H.  J.  Eustace.    Pp.30.    VMU. 

Farmers'  Institute  Lecture  No.  3.  Syllabus  of  Illustrated  Lecture  on  Acid  Soils,  accompanied  with  53 
lantern  slides.    By  II.  J.  Wheeler.    Pp.28.    1904. 

Farmers'  Institute  Lecture  No.  4.  Syllabus  of  Illustrated  Lecture  on  Profitable  Cattle  Feeding,  accom- 
panied with  45  lantern  slides.    By  F  B.  Mumford.    Pp.  21.    1905. 

Farmers'  Institute  I^ecture  No  5.  Syllabus  of  Illustrated  Lecture  on  Silage  and  Silo  Construction  for 
the  South,  accompanied  with  50  lantern  slides.    By  A.  M.  Soule.    Pp.  31.    19ttr). 

Farmers'  Institute  Lecture  No.  ti.  Syllabus  of  Illustrated  Lecture  on  Essentials  of  Successful  Field 
Experimentation,  accompanied  with  32  lantern  slides.    By  C.  E.  Thorne.    Pp.  24.    1905. 


